65 pages • 2 hours read
Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, Transl. Gregory RabassaThe Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1881A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, translated by Gregory Rabassa, narrates the life of Brás Cubas from beyond the grave as he recounts his mischievous childhood, failed relationships, extramarital affairs, and unsuccessful political career, ultimately concluding that life is a series of disillusions. The novel depicts ableism, enslavement, suicidal thoughts, miscarriage, and domestic violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
"The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas," translated by Gregory Rabassa, is lauded for its innovative narrative style and deeply humorous yet profound exploration of life’s absurdities. Rabassa’s translation captures the wit and irony of the original. Some readers find the fragmented structure challenging, but its clever insights make it a rewarding read overall.
Who Should Read The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas?
A reader who enjoys The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, translated by Gregory Rabassa, would likely appreciate dark humor, philosophical musings, and satirical narratives. Fans of works like Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes and The Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky would find this novel compelling.
240
Novel • Fiction
Rio de Janeiro • 1800s
1881
Adult
18+ years
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