Machado De Assis: The Brazilian Master and His Novels

Caldwell's critical and biographical study explores Machado de Assis' purpose, meaning, and artistic method in each of his nine novels, published between 1872 and 1908. She traces the ideas and recurrent themes and identifies his affinities with other authors, showing his experimentation with narrative techniques and his development of individual characters. The book also explores Machado's intellectual life as a poet, journalist, playwright, conversationalist, and academician.

Format: Hardback
Length: 278 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

Machado de Assis is one of the most original and creative minds in Brazil's rich literary tradition, spanning four centuries. Caldwell's critical and biographical study delves into the purpose, meaning, and artistic methods of Machado's nine novels, published between 1872 and 1908. Through meticulous analysis, she traces the ideas and recurring themes that permeate his works, identifying his affinities with other authors. Caldwell's exploration of Machado's experimentation with narrative techniques unveils his subtle use of point of view, ranging from indirect to reflected and even multiple and nested, akin to Chinese boxes. She also highlights his gradual development of characters, characterized by their individuality. Machado's bold use of allusion and symbol propelled his narratives forward, setting him apart from his contemporaries. Caldwell demonstrates that each novel is an artistic venture, rather than a mere regurgitation from a troubled soul, as some critics have suggested. In seeking the unity of Machado's novels, Caldwell delves into various aspects of his intellectual life, including his roles as a poet, journalist, playwright. playwright. playwrights. conversationalist, and academician. Of particular interest is her attention to his shift from social criticism in his early novels to the intricate labyrinth of individual psychology in his final five works, which are considered among the world's literature. Caldwell's perceptive account never loses sight of the one element that permeates every piece of Machado's fiction: supreme comedy, encompassing wit, irony, satire, parody, burlesque, and humor. Altogether, Caldwell presents us with a writer who, in essence, is a poet, still standing as the pinnacle of Brazilian letters. This title is part of UC Press' Voices Revived program, which commemorates the University of California Press' commitment to seeking out and nurturing exceptional writing from around the world.

Weight: 499g
Dimension: 216 x 140 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520358560