O Mandarim By: José Maria Eça de Queirós (1845-1900)
In "O Mandarim" by José Maria Eça de Queirós, readers are taken on a journey through the complex and often deceitful world of 19th-century Portugal. The novel follows the protagonist, Teodoro, as he navigates his way through a society filled with corruption, ambition, and betrayal. Queirós does a masterful job of painting a vivid picture of the societal and political landscape of the time, highlighting the struggles and challenges faced by those in power as well as those on the fringes of society. The characters are richly developed and their motivations and actions feel authentic and true to the time period. One of the standout elements of the novel is the author's use of satire and irony to critique the flaws and hypocrisies of the society in which the story is set. The novel is both entertaining and thought-provoking, leaving readers with much to contemplate long after they have finished reading. Overall, "O Mandarim" is a compelling and engaging read that offers a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of human nature and the power dynamics at play in a rapidly changing world. Queirós' writing is witty, sharp, and incisive, making this novel a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the depths of human behavior. First Page: EÇA DE QUEIROZ O MANDARIM LIVRARIA INTERNACIONAL DE ERNESTO CHARDRON, EDITOR. Porto e Braga 1880 O MANDARIM PROLOGO 1.^o AMIGO ( bebendo Cognac e soda, debaixo d'arvores, n'um terraço, á beira d'agua ) Camarada, por estes calores do estio que embotam a ponta da sagacidade, repousemos do aspero estudo da Realidade humana... Partamos para os campos do Sonho, vaguear por essas azuladas collinas romanticas onde se ergue a torre abandonada do Sobrenatural, e musgos frescos recobrem as ruinas do Idealismo... Façamos phantasia!... 2.^o AMIGO Mas sobriamente, camarada, parcamente!... E como nas sabias e amaveis Allegorias da Renascença, misturando lhe sempre uma Moralidade discreta... (COMEDIA INEDITA). I Eu chamo me Theodoro e fui amanuense do Ministerio do Reino. N'esse tempo vivia eu á travessa da Conceição n.^o 106, na casa d'hospedes da D. Augusta, a esplendida D. Augusta, viuva do major Marques. Tinha dois companheiros: o Cabrita, empregado na Administração do bairro central, esguio e amarello como uma tocha d'enterro; e o possante, o exuberante tenente Couceiro, grande tocador de viola franceza. A minha existencia era bem equilibrada e suave. Toda a semana, de mangas de lustrina á carteira da minha repartição, ia lançando, n'uma formosa letra cursiva, sobre o papel Tojal do Estado, estas phrases faceis: « Ill... Continue reading book >>

O Mandarim By: José Maria Eça de Queirós (1845-1900)

In "O Mandarim" by José Maria Eça de Queirós, readers are taken on a journey through the complex and often deceitful world of 19th-century Portugal. The novel follows the protagonist, Teodoro, as he navigates his way through a society filled with corruption, ambition, and betrayal.

Queirós does a masterful job of painting a vivid picture of the societal and political landscape of the time, highlighting the struggles and challenges faced by those in power as well as those on the fringes of society. The characters are richly developed and their motivations and actions feel authentic and true to the time period.

One of the standout elements of the novel is the author's use of satire and irony to critique the flaws and hypocrisies of the society in which the story is set. The novel is both entertaining and thought-provoking, leaving readers with much to contemplate long after they have finished reading.

Overall, "O Mandarim" is a compelling and engaging read that offers a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of human nature and the power dynamics at play in a rapidly changing world. Queirós' writing is witty, sharp, and incisive, making this novel a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the depths of human behavior.

First Page:

EÇA DE QUEIROZ

O MANDARIM

LIVRARIA INTERNACIONAL

ERNESTO CHARDRON, EDITOR.

Porto e Braga

1880

O MANDARIM

PROLOGO

1.^o AMIGO ( bebendo Cognac e soda, debaixo d'arvores, n'um terraço, á beira d'agua )

Camarada, por estes calores do estio que embotam a ponta da sagacidade, repousemos do aspero estudo da Realidade humana... Partamos para os campos do Sonho, vaguear por essas azuladas collinas romanticas onde se ergue a torre abandonada do Sobrenatural, e musgos frescos recobrem as ruinas do Idealismo... Façamos phantasia!...

2.^o AMIGO

Mas sobriamente, camarada, parcamente!... E como nas sabias e amaveis Allegorias da Renascença, misturando lhe sempre uma Moralidade discreta...

(COMEDIA INEDITA).

Eu chamo me Theodoro e fui amanuense do Ministerio do Reino.

N'esse tempo vivia eu á travessa da Conceição n.^o 106, na casa d'hospedes da D. Augusta, a esplendida D. Augusta, viuva do major Marques. Tinha dois companheiros: o Cabrita, empregado na Administração do bairro central, esguio e amarello como uma tocha d'enterro; e o possante, o exuberante tenente Couceiro, grande tocador de viola franceza.

A minha existencia era bem equilibrada e suave. Toda a semana, de mangas de lustrina á carteira da minha repartição, ia lançando, n'uma formosa letra cursiva, sobre o papel Tojal do Estado, estas phrases faceis: « Ill... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Fiction
Literature

eBook links
Wikipedia – José Maria Eça de Queirós
Wikipedia – O Mandarim

eBook Downloads
ePUB eBook • iBooks for iPhone and iPad • Nook • Sony Reader	Kindle eBook • Mobi file format for Kindle
Read eBook • Load eBook in browser	Text File eBook • Computers • Windows • Mac