Overview

Hailed in his lifetime as Brazil's greatest writer, Machado de Assis (1839–1908) has found a new generation of readers through a series of critically acclaimed translations by Margaret Jull Costa and Robin Patterson. Now, the duo returns to breathe new life into the irreverent, ambitious, and darkly funny Quincas Borba. Originally published in 1891, the novel begins with the death of its titular character, a mad philosopher infamous for spouting pessimistic theories of Humanitism. Borba leaves his fortune-including his dog, also named Quincas Borba-to Rubiao, his loyal caretaker. Adrift in the big, bad, bustling world of late-1860s Rio de Janeiro, it isn't long before Rubiao is targeted by the city's sycophants, who can smell his naiveté from a mile away. Playfully told by an omniscient-and possibly unreliable-narrator, and rife with Machado's signature satirical jabs, Quincas Borba is another strikingly modern tale from a blazing progenitor of twentieth-century fiction.

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9781324090687

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A new translation of the second volume of de Assis's so-called realist trilogy, originally published in 1891, highlights the great Brazilian novelist's penchant for subverting narrative conventions . . . Mimicking a nineteenth-century novel of manners, de Assis offers a wry deconstruction of notions of social climbing . . . Quincas Borba anticipates the twentieth-century modernist novel and affirms the author's genius.--Booklist, starred review A new translation of Machado de Assis, one of South America's most celebrated (and wonderfully bizarre) writers is excellent news...I'm looking forward to picking up this satire of wealth and progress.-- ""Literary Hub"" There is no dichotomy between the Realist or the Romantic novel, the English or the French novel, in Machado's work. The differences are either resolved or overcome. In this, Machado found a way forward that we still follow . . . [Margaret] Jull Costa's and [Robin] Patterson's success is apparent in how they refract the various language for the relationships -- personal, societal and historical -- that form the bedrock of the world of Quincas Borba.--Jordan Silversmith ""ANMLY"" A great ironist, a tragic comedian. . . . In his books, in their most comic moments, he underlines the suffering by making us laugh.--Philip Roth A writer one hundred years ahead of his time.--Salman Rushdie Another Kafka.--Allen Ginsburg In the sureness of pace, the ingratiating swerve, Machado is peerless.--Elizabeth Hardwick Parodic . . . A welcome, fresh translation of an overlooked classic, a superb novel of (bad) manners.--Kirkus Reviews, starred review The creator of a tremendous oeuvre and an inimitable sense of humor.--José Saramago

A great ironist, a tragic comedian. . . . In his books, in their most comic moments, he underlines the suffering by making us laugh.--Philip Roth A writer one hundred years ahead of his time.--Salman Rushdie Another Kafka.--Allen Ginsburg In the sureness of pace, the ingratiating swerve, Machado is peerless.--Elizabeth Hardwick Parodic . . . A welcome, fresh translation of an overlooked classic, a superb novel of (bad) manners.--Kirkus Reviews, starred review The creator of a tremendous oeuvre and an inimitable sense of humor.--Jos� Saramago

Author Information

Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis (1839–1908) was born in Rio de Janeiro and, as well as his seven short-story collections, wrote such ground-breaking novels as Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas, Dom Casmurro, Quincas Borba and The Alienist. Margaret Jull Costa, who has translated Javier Marías and José Saramago, lives in England. Robin Patterson has translated José Luandino Vieira and lives in England.

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