Books, poetry, graphic novels, and more across time and space. A project to read something from every country in the world. Check the playlists. Contact: [email protected]
Lovely to hear your eloquent thoughts on a book you love. As always, you make me want to read it!
@mikereadstheworld5 күн бұрын
@@elizabethjonczyk6818 Thank you! Nice to hear from you in the comments again, it's been awhile! Hope all is well!
@OCaoQueLe6 күн бұрын
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!
@mikereadstheworld6 күн бұрын
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 😀
@OCaoQueLe5 күн бұрын
@@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!
@1russodog7 күн бұрын
Ty Mike for another fantastic review. I have a keen interest in historical matters and most particularly when it relates to slavery. Added this book to my tbr list. Keep up the good fight dear friend
@mikereadstheworld6 күн бұрын
Thanks Russo! I appreciate reading that especially on these histories and autobiographies that are a bit more niche. For many countries they are the best choice in the quest to learn and see new perspectives.
@adelaides08417 күн бұрын
i just read the fawn and absolutely loved it! eszter is so complex and it’s very interesting to decipher her mixed feelings towards her lover and her relationship with angela.
@Gusfer-ze8lw8 күн бұрын
Loved your review. Greets from Brazil
@sakvoraharuno12 күн бұрын
I've read this in middle school, for reference I am Gen Z, and it was radical for me to read as a saudi teenager (I actually could've been in 6th grade? Wow, time does fly so fast!). I loved it almost instantaneously, because at that time Saudi Arabia was "transitioning" into a much more tolerative country of women. I can say that for half of my life, society was so weird about women. (It continues to be so, but it holds less power over them now). I was a very passionate feminist, so finding out all the "scandalous" affairs the main characters were partaking in were happening in my society was thrilling. I do realize now, as a 20 year old, that the characters are in a much different society than myself; from what I remember, I share so little with them other than my sex. Which is a great point you raise! I've forgotten a lot of what I read (I've read it twice or thrice) so I might give it a read now and see how (not)relatable the characters truly are. Either way, I really wish I were old enough to experience reading these e-mails every Friday to my family..
@mikereadstheworld12 күн бұрын
Thank you so much for sharing this story! One of the best things about this project is getting comments like this that shift my perspective. This makes me think, it's not just important to read a diverse array of authors, but also to hear a diverse array of opinions about what I read. Great example of why I don't believe in claiming an "objective" view of what is good literature anymore, because different books resonate with people at different times in their lives, and their impact cannot truly be measured. Thank you again because I would never have imagined what it would be like reading this in your situation until now.
@cojocarurobert138714 күн бұрын
Listened until the end and it was like a journey from mild curiosity about the book in the beginning to a book that might start a soul searching journey at the end. Thanks for sharing it with such candor. The background lighting was a plus too.
@mikereadstheworld14 күн бұрын
That is wonderful! Thank you for this comment it made my day!
@marinellamaccagni695114 күн бұрын
Hi, mike! I read this book 5 years ago. It was one of the best reading I have ever done.
@mikereadstheworld14 күн бұрын
I agree!
@igormitt15 күн бұрын
"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.
@mikereadstheworld15 күн бұрын
Think about it, laugh uncontrollably, think about it more, existential horror, think about it a little more, appreciation of genius.
@haroldniver81315 күн бұрын
Been wanting to read Szabo, and this clinches it. I’ll be picking up both of her books that you’ve covered, and perhaps even more.
@evaboldt65315 күн бұрын
I have never heard of this author, and after listening to your review, I am not sure what this book is about, but I really enjoyed hearing your talk about how much you liked it. You have inspired me to explore this author. Thanks!
@mikereadstheworld15 күн бұрын
It is very hard to say what it is about accurately without spoiling it, and the way everything is told out of order means you won't even really know until late in the book. But basically a famous actress reminisces about a childhood in poverty and her troubled relationships with others, while addressing all of this to "you" as one of the characters in the book. Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoy her work!
@robertosilva967215 күн бұрын
Cara, se um estadunidense traduziu a Clarice Lispector ele deve ser um fenômeno. Poucos brasileiros normais conseguem entender essa escritora. Minha ex entendia, mas acabou num hospício. Essa leitura não é para os fracos. "Ela acreditava em anjo e, porque acreditava, eles existiam".
@mikereadstheworld12 күн бұрын
Muito interesante! Obrigado por compartilhar!
@Samantha27555117 күн бұрын
OMG!!! My suggestion for you is try the translation made by Flora Thompson Devaux. She made a really extraordinary work!!!
@mikereadstheworld12 күн бұрын
I have looked over that translation, also good. I think next time I'll go for the original language!
@danielajustino18 күн бұрын
I understand why you're speechless at times.
@flaviapaiani18 күн бұрын
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!
@mikereadstheworld18 күн бұрын
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.
@1russodog19 күн бұрын
Excellent review Mike. Full of interesting tidbits enough to whet our appetite to read further. My hope is I can find a good used copy.
@ednarodrigues267319 күн бұрын
Sou brasileira, e para nós é uma das leituras da nossa literatura mais difíceis de se interpretar,assim como Camões
@mariovieira429820 күн бұрын
I liked your letter
@McKennaDunworth21 күн бұрын
I really like the way you talk about these books, I sometimes struggle to sort out my thoughts on books, despite loving them dearly. You are able to express things so concisely and with a great depth of understanding. I enjoy watching your videos on books I’ve read in the past, they bring up a lot of things I forgot as well as things didn’t realize. It’s an amazing skill!
@mikereadstheworld21 күн бұрын
That's how I felt when I began. I'd say I've improved a lot since my early videos, with still a lot more to improve on yet. The more you do it the more natural it feels in my experience, so think about starting a channel, or just keeping a journal? And thank you!
@McKennaDunworth21 күн бұрын
Really happy I stumbled on this channel and excited to watch more of your content! You have a great way of speaking about these books, I appreciate your informative insights and your passion for literature!!
@mikereadstheworld21 күн бұрын
Thank you so much for your kind words. I try to just speak to the camera as I would to a friend who also loves literature, blemishes and stutters and all 😀. Happy reading!
@haroldniver81323 күн бұрын
I enjoyed this book immensely - enough to immediately pick up and read Labatut’s newer book, “The Maniac” (which was also quite memorable and enjoyable). I think I liked it for precisely the reason that it seems to have left you scratching your head a bit. The mix of fiction and non-fiction told a plausible story, where at times, even when it doesn’t sound like it could be a representation of an actual event, it makes the narrative more interesting, and gives it a better progression. I actually wouldn’t mind seeing more stories told like this. In any case, you’re doing a great job with your channel; keep it up!
@mikereadstheworld23 күн бұрын
Thanks! I hope I didn't give the impression I disliked it, I just had a hard time finding anything meaningful to say about it that wasn't already said by the book itself. I felt it didn't leave a lot of space for the reader, which isn't good or bad but...you know it's like listening to a really engaging academic lecture but it's not your field so you struggle to comment on how true it was or what the applications all might be. Something like that.
@haroldniver81323 күн бұрын
@@mikereadstheworld no I didn’t get the impression that you didn’t like it. Not at all. I don’t know why, but something about Labatut’s book were invigorating for me. Perhaps because I’m a passionate person, even to the point of madness at times, and was inspired by the stories of others who were that passionate about something, whether that passion was overstated/fictionalized or not .
@mikereadstheworld21 күн бұрын
@@haroldniver813 I sincerely wish you well my friend, I know that can be some intense stuff to deal with. And I appreciate the comment! I may try out "The Maniac" one of these days.
@rafaelfcf24 күн бұрын
Wow, for some reason I'm extremely moved by your letter
@WolfGamers10026 күн бұрын
The loveble Kadaré writing, I discovered him through my Brazilian literature professor - he used to recommend Kadaré emphatically. Specially, 'Broken April' and I, like him, recommend this one for you too.
@mikereadstheworld24 күн бұрын
Thanks for suggestion - there are so many authors I've read in this project that I'd love to reread, and read more by - Ismail Kadare is high on that list. It will be "Broken April" when that happens but you know, so many books, so many more countries to go...
@WolfGamers10024 күн бұрын
@@mikereadstheworld I absolutely understand it, so many books, so little time.
@andyalam507426 күн бұрын
Clear thinking gets us close to truth.
@mikereadstheworld25 күн бұрын
Well said.
@andyalam507426 күн бұрын
Do you ✍️?
@mikereadstheworld25 күн бұрын
I do, nothing shared or published yet though, and it's mostly wildly unorganized.
@bloglucasrodrigues27 күн бұрын
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.
@Erick9458627 күн бұрын
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.
@mikereadstheworld27 күн бұрын
Well, however it got done, I am glad it is abolished in both countries.
@LopezzT25 күн бұрын
@@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.
@luizfloripa22227 күн бұрын
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!
@mikereadstheworld27 күн бұрын
Thank you!
@pedroamerico657427 күн бұрын
Great review, Mike...keep reading the world!
@larissadasilvamanara738328 күн бұрын
The friend has his own book. Quincas Borba is my favorite Machado de Assis work. You can find it in english. I recomend it
@danielacancian327728 күн бұрын
What a great review!!!❤
@arnett9197229 күн бұрын
If a book has fiction and non-fiction then it should be considered fictional as the fictional content causes for the entire book to become fictional
@mikereadstheworld29 күн бұрын
Works for me 👍
@marinellamaccagni695129 күн бұрын
Hi, mark! Awesome book! I read it 3 months ago. Your project of reading the world is amazing! Thanks for your excellent review. Have a nice day and see you in the next video.
@mikereadstheworld29 күн бұрын
Thanks! Have a nice day yourself!
@1russodog29 күн бұрын
AHA another book already in my library. Fantastic prose. I believe Obama even endorsed it. Thx Mike for the reviews. Get home safe!
@mikereadstheworld29 күн бұрын
Thanks Russo!
@oldmanandtheread29 күн бұрын
I hope you don't mind an old man expressing how much I enjoy your videos. I was amused with your saying that you aren't keeping up with technology. Just think about an old 77 year old man, like me, who went through college using a slide rule and never advanced from there. I'm completely lost with technology. Luckily I have kids and grandkids who can show me how to, somewhat, navigate through it.
@mikereadstheworld29 күн бұрын
🤣 Very true it must sound silly from that perspective. Thank you for letting me know you enjoy the videos, I appreciate knowing all different kinds of people can enjoy them.
@evandrocg5736Ай бұрын
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.
@rogerioserra9912Ай бұрын
Obrigado por mostrar a obra de Machado de Assis para os que lêem em inglês! Sensacional!
@TheLinguistsLibraryАй бұрын
I subbed when you gushed over Clarice now I see this! You have great taste, my friend
@mikereadstheworldАй бұрын
Thank you for taking the time to watch and listen!
@josedamiaoleandroАй бұрын
Imagino se você tivesse tido o prazer de lê-lo em Português.
@mikereadstheworldАй бұрын
Estou planeando isso! Eu farei isso algum dia
@andre_santos2181Ай бұрын
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.
@mikereadstheworldАй бұрын
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-Ай бұрын
@@mikereadstheworld Dom Casmurro is the best!!
@munique2954Ай бұрын
One of my favorite books
@sofiaromero5324Ай бұрын
Vallejo's poetry is so deep and melancholic
@roberto.coelhoАй бұрын
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.
@mikereadstheworldАй бұрын
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.coelhoАй бұрын
@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
@mikereadstheworldАй бұрын
@@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.coelhoАй бұрын
@mikereadstheworld kzread.info/dash/bejne/aHZltc6Hqc2Xnps.htmlfeature=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!!!
@mikereadstheworldАй бұрын
@@roberto.coelho That's great, I'm so happy more people are reading him!
@lazarofla-ac7645Ай бұрын
Bras Cuba agora está popular na Amazon
@fabricioazevedo236123 күн бұрын
Como deveria sempre ter sido. Só acho triste que nós brasileiros tenhamos que ser lembrados quão incrível ele era pelos gringos.
@leticiamonteiro1585Ай бұрын
I am not into poetry, but there is a brazilian author Adelia Prado that I really like. She writes poetry about everyday life and explores the simplicity of rural life that I find really refreshing
@mikereadstheworldАй бұрын
Thanks for the recommendation! I will look into her. I never used to like poetry, but am starting to appreciate it more now and plan to do more readings of it on the channel in the future.
@aparecraftАй бұрын
You're an inspiration ❤
@1russodogАй бұрын
Spontaneity is the key. Follow your instincts Mike. The world’s your oyster and the literature contained therein is YOUR WONDERFUL ALCHEMY you unlock for the us. Thankyou!
@nicholasmanilaАй бұрын
love it! safe travels!
@mahaamamiАй бұрын
Thank you Mike for this review It makes me want to reread it :D Naguib Mahfouz is my favourite author I read most of his books try The Harafish i think its one of his best along with Cairo triology
@mikereadstheworldАй бұрын
Thanks for watching! I own the Cairo trilogy - can't wait to make time to read it!
Пікірлер
Lovely to hear your eloquent thoughts on a book you love. As always, you make me want to read it!
@@elizabethjonczyk6818 Thank you! Nice to hear from you in the comments again, it's been awhile! Hope all is well!
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!
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 😀
@@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!
Ty Mike for another fantastic review. I have a keen interest in historical matters and most particularly when it relates to slavery. Added this book to my tbr list. Keep up the good fight dear friend
Thanks Russo! I appreciate reading that especially on these histories and autobiographies that are a bit more niche. For many countries they are the best choice in the quest to learn and see new perspectives.
i just read the fawn and absolutely loved it! eszter is so complex and it’s very interesting to decipher her mixed feelings towards her lover and her relationship with angela.
Loved your review. Greets from Brazil
I've read this in middle school, for reference I am Gen Z, and it was radical for me to read as a saudi teenager (I actually could've been in 6th grade? Wow, time does fly so fast!). I loved it almost instantaneously, because at that time Saudi Arabia was "transitioning" into a much more tolerative country of women. I can say that for half of my life, society was so weird about women. (It continues to be so, but it holds less power over them now). I was a very passionate feminist, so finding out all the "scandalous" affairs the main characters were partaking in were happening in my society was thrilling. I do realize now, as a 20 year old, that the characters are in a much different society than myself; from what I remember, I share so little with them other than my sex. Which is a great point you raise! I've forgotten a lot of what I read (I've read it twice or thrice) so I might give it a read now and see how (not)relatable the characters truly are. Either way, I really wish I were old enough to experience reading these e-mails every Friday to my family..
Thank you so much for sharing this story! One of the best things about this project is getting comments like this that shift my perspective. This makes me think, it's not just important to read a diverse array of authors, but also to hear a diverse array of opinions about what I read. Great example of why I don't believe in claiming an "objective" view of what is good literature anymore, because different books resonate with people at different times in their lives, and their impact cannot truly be measured. Thank you again because I would never have imagined what it would be like reading this in your situation until now.
Listened until the end and it was like a journey from mild curiosity about the book in the beginning to a book that might start a soul searching journey at the end. Thanks for sharing it with such candor. The background lighting was a plus too.
That is wonderful! Thank you for this comment it made my day!
Hi, mike! I read this book 5 years ago. It was one of the best reading I have ever done.
I agree!
"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.
Think about it, laugh uncontrollably, think about it more, existential horror, think about it a little more, appreciation of genius.
Been wanting to read Szabo, and this clinches it. I’ll be picking up both of her books that you’ve covered, and perhaps even more.
I have never heard of this author, and after listening to your review, I am not sure what this book is about, but I really enjoyed hearing your talk about how much you liked it. You have inspired me to explore this author. Thanks!
It is very hard to say what it is about accurately without spoiling it, and the way everything is told out of order means you won't even really know until late in the book. But basically a famous actress reminisces about a childhood in poverty and her troubled relationships with others, while addressing all of this to "you" as one of the characters in the book. Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoy her work!
Cara, se um estadunidense traduziu a Clarice Lispector ele deve ser um fenômeno. Poucos brasileiros normais conseguem entender essa escritora. Minha ex entendia, mas acabou num hospício. Essa leitura não é para os fracos. "Ela acreditava em anjo e, porque acreditava, eles existiam".
Muito interesante! Obrigado por compartilhar!
OMG!!! My suggestion for you is try the translation made by Flora Thompson Devaux. She made a really extraordinary work!!!
I have looked over that translation, also good. I think next time I'll go for the original language!
I understand why you're speechless at times.
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!
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.
Excellent review Mike. Full of interesting tidbits enough to whet our appetite to read further. My hope is I can find a good used copy.
Sou brasileira, e para nós é uma das leituras da nossa literatura mais difíceis de se interpretar,assim como Camões
I liked your letter
I really like the way you talk about these books, I sometimes struggle to sort out my thoughts on books, despite loving them dearly. You are able to express things so concisely and with a great depth of understanding. I enjoy watching your videos on books I’ve read in the past, they bring up a lot of things I forgot as well as things didn’t realize. It’s an amazing skill!
That's how I felt when I began. I'd say I've improved a lot since my early videos, with still a lot more to improve on yet. The more you do it the more natural it feels in my experience, so think about starting a channel, or just keeping a journal? And thank you!
Really happy I stumbled on this channel and excited to watch more of your content! You have a great way of speaking about these books, I appreciate your informative insights and your passion for literature!!
Thank you so much for your kind words. I try to just speak to the camera as I would to a friend who also loves literature, blemishes and stutters and all 😀. Happy reading!
I enjoyed this book immensely - enough to immediately pick up and read Labatut’s newer book, “The Maniac” (which was also quite memorable and enjoyable). I think I liked it for precisely the reason that it seems to have left you scratching your head a bit. The mix of fiction and non-fiction told a plausible story, where at times, even when it doesn’t sound like it could be a representation of an actual event, it makes the narrative more interesting, and gives it a better progression. I actually wouldn’t mind seeing more stories told like this. In any case, you’re doing a great job with your channel; keep it up!
Thanks! I hope I didn't give the impression I disliked it, I just had a hard time finding anything meaningful to say about it that wasn't already said by the book itself. I felt it didn't leave a lot of space for the reader, which isn't good or bad but...you know it's like listening to a really engaging academic lecture but it's not your field so you struggle to comment on how true it was or what the applications all might be. Something like that.
@@mikereadstheworld no I didn’t get the impression that you didn’t like it. Not at all. I don’t know why, but something about Labatut’s book were invigorating for me. Perhaps because I’m a passionate person, even to the point of madness at times, and was inspired by the stories of others who were that passionate about something, whether that passion was overstated/fictionalized or not .
@@haroldniver813 I sincerely wish you well my friend, I know that can be some intense stuff to deal with. And I appreciate the comment! I may try out "The Maniac" one of these days.
Wow, for some reason I'm extremely moved by your letter
The loveble Kadaré writing, I discovered him through my Brazilian literature professor - he used to recommend Kadaré emphatically. Specially, 'Broken April' and I, like him, recommend this one for you too.
Thanks for suggestion - there are so many authors I've read in this project that I'd love to reread, and read more by - Ismail Kadare is high on that list. It will be "Broken April" when that happens but you know, so many books, so many more countries to go...
@@mikereadstheworld I absolutely understand it, so many books, so little time.
Clear thinking gets us close to truth.
Well said.
Do you ✍️?
I do, nothing shared or published yet though, and it's mostly wildly unorganized.
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.
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.
Well, however it got done, I am glad it is abolished in both countries.
@@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.
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!
Thank you!
Great review, Mike...keep reading the world!
The friend has his own book. Quincas Borba is my favorite Machado de Assis work. You can find it in english. I recomend it
What a great review!!!❤
If a book has fiction and non-fiction then it should be considered fictional as the fictional content causes for the entire book to become fictional
Works for me 👍
Hi, mark! Awesome book! I read it 3 months ago. Your project of reading the world is amazing! Thanks for your excellent review. Have a nice day and see you in the next video.
Thanks! Have a nice day yourself!
AHA another book already in my library. Fantastic prose. I believe Obama even endorsed it. Thx Mike for the reviews. Get home safe!
Thanks Russo!
I hope you don't mind an old man expressing how much I enjoy your videos. I was amused with your saying that you aren't keeping up with technology. Just think about an old 77 year old man, like me, who went through college using a slide rule and never advanced from there. I'm completely lost with technology. Luckily I have kids and grandkids who can show me how to, somewhat, navigate through it.
🤣 Very true it must sound silly from that perspective. Thank you for letting me know you enjoy the videos, I appreciate knowing all different kinds of people can enjoy them.
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.
Obrigado por mostrar a obra de Machado de Assis para os que lêem em inglês! Sensacional!
I subbed when you gushed over Clarice now I see this! You have great taste, my friend
Thank you for taking the time to watch and listen!
Imagino se você tivesse tido o prazer de lê-lo em Português.
Estou planeando isso! Eu farei isso algum dia
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.
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!
@@mikereadstheworld Dom Casmurro is the best!!
One of my favorite books
Vallejo's poetry is so deep and melancholic
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.
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.
@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
@@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.
@mikereadstheworld kzread.info/dash/bejne/aHZltc6Hqc2Xnps.htmlfeature=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!!!
@@roberto.coelho That's great, I'm so happy more people are reading him!
Bras Cuba agora está popular na Amazon
Como deveria sempre ter sido. Só acho triste que nós brasileiros tenhamos que ser lembrados quão incrível ele era pelos gringos.
I am not into poetry, but there is a brazilian author Adelia Prado that I really like. She writes poetry about everyday life and explores the simplicity of rural life that I find really refreshing
Thanks for the recommendation! I will look into her. I never used to like poetry, but am starting to appreciate it more now and plan to do more readings of it on the channel in the future.
You're an inspiration ❤
Spontaneity is the key. Follow your instincts Mike. The world’s your oyster and the literature contained therein is YOUR WONDERFUL ALCHEMY you unlock for the us. Thankyou!
love it! safe travels!
Thank you Mike for this review It makes me want to reread it :D Naguib Mahfouz is my favourite author I read most of his books try The Harafish i think its one of his best along with Cairo triology
Thanks for watching! I own the Cairo trilogy - can't wait to make time to read it!
Easter Island! How fun!