logo

65 pages 2 hours read

The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1881

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, Transl. Gregory Rabassa

The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1881
Book Details
Pages

240

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Rio De Janeiro • 1800s

Publication Year

1881

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

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.

Mysterious

Humorous

Melancholic

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

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 this

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.

Book Details
Pages

240

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Rio De Janeiro • 1800s

Publication Year

1881

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.