#7.2: "Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas" by Machado de Assis (Brazil, 1881)

The most extraordinary thing I've ever read.
And I share some fanmail I wrote to the fictional character of Brás Cubas immediately after finishing the book. I wonder if it's the only one he's ever received?
#booktube #literature #mikereadstheworld #readingtheworld #readtheworld #brazilianliterature #booktuber #machadodeassis #brascubas

[@Teodoroviski]

I studied Machado for more than 10 years in masters's and doctors's. I'm not saying this to brag or anything (because I'm aware that by evolking titles I may sound or actually become like one of his caciratures), but what I can say fore certain is that this book is much much deeper that it seems at first. Why? Because one of the things Machado is doing by writing it is stablishing a sort of dialogue with the history of Western ideas. So he pokes fun at Greeks, 18th and 19th centuries thinkers and their ideas (Comte, Shopenhauer, racionalists, monists, etc.). One of the things I studied about is how he pokes fun at phylosophical notions of nature and how they are used to stablish and maintain power. Most of the times Brás Cubas does something wrong/unethical he evokes nature, like it's human nature's fault and not his own. And there's one thing everyone who studies Machado knows for a fact: everytime the narrator sounds silly or dismisses himself as shallow, that's when there's something really deep behind it. Pay attention, for exemple, to the relation between Eugenia, her physical deformity and poverty, and the black butterfly. If you haven't made the connetions yet, it will blow your mind if you do. Her deformity may even (most likely) be an ironic reference to what Shopenhauer says about physical deformity and lust vs love

[@mikereadstheworld]

Wow! Thank you for this insightful comment. After the Magic Mountain, this is the top book I am considering doing a longer/scripted video essay on at some point. You've given me a lot to think about here when I get to rereading it and analyzing it. I always worry that when I love a book this much, returning to it won't hold the same magic, but knowing that there is so much more to dig into has dispelled those fears for this novel. Feel free to reach out to my email listed in in my channel description if you'd like to discuss further or pass along a list of further reading or articles that you've found helpful in your own studies. If/when I get around to making a video essay, I'd like to be as thorough as possible, this book deserves it!

[@joaorafaelaguiardeoliveira5719]

​@@mikereadstheworldread other books of Machado de Assis, you will like very much

[@evandrocg5736]

In Brazil there is an unexplainable preference for "Dom Casmurro", but "Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas" is, by far, the best work from Machado de Assis. I'm very happy with its success in US.

[@leonmarquws]

Fantastic author! The more you learn about Machado the more brilliant he becomes. Truly a man centuries ahead of his time

[@mikereadstheworld]

Can't wait to read more of his work!

[@rogerioserra9912]

Obrigado por mostrar a obra de Machado de Assis para os que lêem em inglês! Sensacional!

[@tatianehannisdal5215]

Quincas Borba is an iconic character too. He is also the protagonist of one of MA's book. FYI 😊

[@bianca.apaiva]

What a great review Mike!! As a brazilian, I read this book when I was teenager, and heard about now with a foreigner perspective its refreshing 😊

[@mikereadstheworld]

Thank you! There are some new translations of Machado de Assis's other books coming in English soon which I will be buying instantly.

[@bianca.apaiva]

@@mikereadstheworld that's awesome! I will wait for your review

[@lazarofla-ac7645]

Bras Cuba agora está popular na Amazon

[@fabricioazevedo2361]

Como deveria sempre ter sido. Só acho triste que nós brasileiros tenhamos que ser lembrados quão incrível ele era pelos gringos.

[@luizfloripa222]

Well done! You are the first non-Portuguese speaking booktuber who got the pronunciation of the author's name right. Your pronunciation of "Machado de Assis" was perfect. Thank you also for your brilliant review!

[@mikereadstheworld]

Thank you!

[@bloglucasrodrigues]

The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis is a seminal work in Brazilian literature and a cornerstone of Realism in Brazil. The novel is narrated by Brás Cubas, who, from beyond the grave, recounts his life story with a blend of wit, irony, and philosophical reflection. Freed from the constraints of societal norms and personal vanity, the posthumous narrator offers a candid, often critical, perspective on 19th-century Brazilian society. Brás Cubas narrates his journey from a privileged upbringing to various failed pursuits, including an unfulfilled political career and unsuccessful romantic endeavors. His detached and humorous recounting of events highlights the absurdities of social pretensions and human folly. The novel’s unconventional narrative structure, direct address to the reader, and metafictional elements mark it as a significant departure from traditional storytelling, establishing Machado de Assis as a master of literary innovation. Machado de Assis’s importance in Brazilian Realism cannot be overstated. Alongside *Quincas Borba* and *Dom Casmurro*, *The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas* forms part of his Realist Trilogy, which critically examines society through keen psychological insight and sophisticated narrative techniques. Machado de Assis brought to light the complexities of the human condition and the intricacies of social dynamics, using irony and pessimism to dissect the moral and existential crises of his characters. His contribution to Brazilian literature not only defined a literary era but also set a high standard for future generations of writers. Machado de Assis is celebrated for his ability to blend European literary influences with a distinctly Brazilian sensibility, creating works that continue to challenge, engage, and inspire readers.

[@Gusfer-ze8lw]

Loved your review. Greets from Brazil

[@munique2954]

One of my favorite books

[@igormitt]

"A man's lip is not like the hoof of Attila's horse, which sterilized the ground on which it struck; it's just the opposite." My favorite sentence, i still remember laughing so hard that i couldn't keep reading.

[@mikereadstheworld]

Think about it, laugh uncontrollably, think about it more, existential horror, think about it a little more, appreciation of genius.

[@andre_santos2181]

I just finished my first novel, and as Brazilian, I used a lot of Machado as inspiration. I know and love this book since High School, when school made me read it - a little, maybe the only, good thing they did. You should try the “spin-pff” novel Quincas Borba.

[@mikereadstheworld]

I will absolutely be reading Quincas Borba and Dom Casmurro. New english translations will be released in July, can't wait! Best to you on your novel!

[@Lahh-]

@@mikereadstheworld Dom Casmurro is the best!!

[@pedroamerico6574]

Great review, Mike...keep reading the world!

[@OCaoQueLe]

Great review! Machado de Assis is an author we "must" read in High School years. A lot of teenagers do not like, It is a fact and most of us who like It started after those years! Feel welcome in my booktube! From São Paulo/SP - Brasil Samantha!

[@mikereadstheworld]

Obrigado! That's usually how it goes, books we are forced to read can only be appreciated after we forget them or others passion for them shows us how to love them 😀

[@OCaoQueLe]

@@mikereadstheworld Thanks Mike! Glad you answered! It is all true!!! I will see others reviews that you make and if I can suggest another brazilian author, try "Graciliano Ramos". He is from northeast and wrote a lot around 1950! Think you will like It! Best wishes from here! Samantha!

[@roberto.coelho]

Hello Mike. You should also read Dom Casmurro by Machado de Assis. It´s a masterpiece. In Brasil, we have an exam called Enem (Exame Nacional do Ensino Medio), which could be translated into English as Nacional High School Exam or something like that. This exam is required by public universities here in Brasil and you have to read the Machado's books in order to attempt it and get a good score on it. We have to read his books during the High school season. By the way, I also encourage you to read Clarice Lispector. She is a Brazilian-Ukrainian writer who is simply amazing. Greetings from Brasil.

[@mikereadstheworld]

Interesting! Good to know he is still highly valued in his home country. I do have a video on Clarice Lispector's "Hora da estrela" and have another of her books I plan to read soon. I will also be reading more Machado de Assis when the new translations in English come out in July.

[@roberto.coelho]

@mikereadstheworld thank you Mike. I really appreciate it. I don't know if you know but there is a video on internet from an American teacher talking about this book from Machado de Assis. She said it was the greatest book she ever read. Now she is famous in Brasil. It happened just some days ago. lol

[@mikereadstheworld]

@@roberto.coelho Maybe that's why this video suddenly blew up then? It went from 300 views to more than 2k in just a few days and I had no idea why 🤣 I also think it's one of the best books ever written.

[@roberto.coelho]

@mikereadstheworld kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHOUhJ-Ers9kpJofeature=shared Here you can see some news about this woman at CNN Brasil. They are saying that due to this American teacher The Posthumous Memoirs of Bras Cubas is the most selling book at USA Amazon!!!

[@mikereadstheworld]

@@roberto.coelho That's great, I'm so happy more people are reading him!

[@TheLinguistsLibrary]

I subbed when you gushed over Clarice now I see this! You have great taste, my friend

[@mikereadstheworld]

Thank you for taking the time to watch and listen!

[@danielacancian3277]

What a great review!!!❤

[@josedamiaoleandro]

Imagino se você tivesse tido o prazer de lê-lo em Português.

[@mikereadstheworld]

Estou planeando isso! Eu farei isso algum dia

[@dnescodino]

Loooved this.review

[@astro368]

favourite review of yours so far, thanks so much for your thoughts and dedication

[@mikereadstheworld]

Much appreciated! Thank you for watching!

[@danielajustino]

I understand why you're speechless at times.

[@carloscano8848]

Great review. I also enjoy this translation. It was so fun that I go back to it regularly. It was funny quirky passionate thoughtful and never overstayed its welcome. Spoiler: really liked the note he read from Virgilia telling him to meet by where the stone wall was shorter 😂😂

[@mikereadstheworld]

Thank you! This book is full of surprising and unexpectedly funny moments like that! I think it's the first novel I've read that i could say fits any mood at any time.

[@larissadasilvamanara7383]

The friend has his own book. Quincas Borba is my favorite Machado de Assis work. You can find it in english. I recomend it

[@mariovieira4298]

I liked your letter

[@Samantha275551]

OMG!!! My suggestion for you is try the translation made by Flora Thompson Devaux. She made a really extraordinary work!!!

[@mikereadstheworld]

I have looked over that translation, also good. I think next time I'll go for the original language!

[@flaviapaiani]

Great letter, great review! It's interesting how a mediocre character can be a witty narrator at the same time in such a way that we want to hear/read his story more and more. It's also true that Machado's dark/light humor made me laugh most of the time but the end of the novel was definitely... devastating!

[@mikereadstheworld]

Agreed, it was only months later that I really thought about those final paragraphs of the novel, and how Bras Cubas retreating into his own indifference his whole life may have lead to his view on things in the end. This stands out much more on a second read through.

[@ednarodrigues2673]

Sou brasileira, e para nós é uma das leituras da nossa literatura mais difíceis de se interpretar,assim como Camões

[@rafaelfcf]

Wow, for some reason I'm extremely moved by your letter

[@Alejandrocasabranca]

Vendam todos a Brasil aprender português 😊

[@Erick94586]

In fact, Brazil was the last country to abolish slavery. But the plan was to do it slowly so that it wouldn't cause a civil war. As it happened in the US.

[@mikereadstheworld]

Well, however it got done, I am glad it is abolished in both countries.

[@LopezzT]

@@mikereadstheworldNevermind that passive-aggressive comment. There are many in Brazil that believe we actually needed a civil war to cement our national identity and unity, just like it happened in the US. In the end, though, it’s just like you said: we should be glad that it is abolished in both countries.