Os Maias
Os Maias
Book Brief
Beta681
Novel • Fiction
Lisbon, Portugal • 1870s
2003
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Os Maias is a novel by Eça de Queirós that follows a prominent Portuguese family, the Maias, through the lives of its members. The story explores themes of social change, familial legacy, and personal tragedy, set against the backdrop of 19th-century Lisbon, while highlighting the complexities of societal norms and personal relationships.
Informative
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Melancholic
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
25,917 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Eça de Queirós' Os Maias is lauded for its rich portrayal of 19th-century Lisbon society and intricate character development. Readers appreciate its incisive social critique and elegant prose, though some find the pacing slow. The novel's exploration of themes like family and societal decay resonates, making it a seminal work in Portuguese literature.
Who Should Read Os Maias?
A reader who enjoys Os Maias by Eça de Queirós likely appreciates intricate family sagas and social critiques, akin to those in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen or Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. They favor rich narratives exploring societal norms, relationships, and class dynamics within a lush 19th-century setting.
25,917 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Os Maias was published in 1888 and is considered one of the greatest works of Portuguese literature, showcasing Eça de Queirós's sharp critique of the social, political, and cultural life of Lisbon in the late 19th century.
Eça de Queirós was inspired by the real-life intrigues and scandals of Portuguese high society to craft the intricate plot and complex characters in Os Maias.
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The novel was adapted into a Portuguese television miniseries in 2001, further cementing its status as a classic in Portuguese cultural history.
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681
Novel • Fiction
Lisbon, Portugal • 1870s
2003
Adult
18+ years
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