The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas is a fictional autobiography written from beyond the grave. You asked for a playful narrative, clever humour, intriguing psychological analysis and clear, original writing and Machado de Assis delivered. 140 years ago.

Brazilian writer and poet Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis was no protagonist of a rags-to-riches tale; but after publishing his first poem at 15, he worked his way up the literary ladder quietly and assiduously, picking up some foreign languages and honours on the way.

Sure, the average English reader will have never heard of him. But who cares about average. Read this book. You'll think it was written yesterday.

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