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K.J. Charles's Reviews > The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas
The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas
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THIS. IS. AMAZING.
I had never even heard of this author, generally regarded as Brazil's greatest, until I had this recced to me in the 'Twitter randoms recommend me 12 books' challenge. WTF. If ever you needed an example of how much we all lose out by focusing the canon on white Europeans, this is it.
Just brilliant. Structurally clever and adventurous--two chapters composed entirely of ellipses, which works perfectly. Staggeringly good characterisation of the self-centred, self-regarding, worthless Bras Cubas. Really funny observations. Massive moral heft in the casual asides regarding poverty, slavery, inhumanity. Intensely readable. Just so good!
Obviously, huge credit must go to the translator here. It's not often that you read a book so well translated that you could believe you were reading the original text, but I didn't find a single awkwardness or clunkiness. I can't speak as to how close it is to the original but the critical apparatus (extensive and very useful) suggests a damn good job has been done.
This is right up there in the 'classics you really ought to read' list, not because you 'ought' to but because it's hugely enjoyable. It ought to be on everyone's list of great novels. There's a lot of English and American kill-the-will-to-live 'classics' we could dump to make space.
I had never even heard of this author, generally regarded as Brazil's greatest, until I had this recced to me in the 'Twitter randoms recommend me 12 books' challenge. WTF. If ever you needed an example of how much we all lose out by focusing the canon on white Europeans, this is it.
Just brilliant. Structurally clever and adventurous--two chapters composed entirely of ellipses, which works perfectly. Staggeringly good characterisation of the self-centred, self-regarding, worthless Bras Cubas. Really funny observations. Massive moral heft in the casual asides regarding poverty, slavery, inhumanity. Intensely readable. Just so good!
Obviously, huge credit must go to the translator here. It's not often that you read a book so well translated that you could believe you were reading the original text, but I didn't find a single awkwardness or clunkiness. I can't speak as to how close it is to the original but the critical apparatus (extensive and very useful) suggests a damn good job has been done.
This is right up there in the 'classics you really ought to read' list, not because you 'ought' to but because it's hugely enjoyable. It ought to be on everyone's list of great novels. There's a lot of English and American kill-the-will-to-live 'classics' we could dump to make space.
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Reading Progress
December 28, 2021
– Shelved as:
to-read
December 28, 2021
– Shelved
January 16, 2022
– Shelved as:
colonialism
January 16, 2022
– Shelved as:
fops-and-skulduggery
January 16, 2022
– Shelved as:
litfic
Started Reading
January 17, 2022
–
Finished Reading
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Kathleen
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Jan 19, 2022 08:30AM
Thanks so much for this review! This book never would have crossed my radar otherwise. FYI to the de Assis-curious: it's currently (as of 19 Jan) on sale at Am*zon. Bought and placed near the top(ish) of the TBR!
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We, Brazilians, are so proud of our literature. Machado de Assis is our pride and joy. Read everything of his you can find! If you'd like more recommendations of Brazilian authors, I'd suggest Jorge Amado, Clarice Lispector, Guimarães Rosa, Ariano Suassuna, Graciliano Ramos and CecÃlia Meireles.
