Memoirs of a Militia SergeantRecognized as a turning point in Brazilian literature, this entertaining novel of urban manners follows the neer-do-well Leonardo through his various romantic liaisons and frequent scrapes with the law. First printed in weekly installments in 1852, and later published in two volumes in 1854-55, Memoirs of a Militia Sergeant comprises a series of humorous vignettes held together by the adventures and misfortunes of this young rogue--who matures from a handful of a toddler into a ruffian of a boy and an idler of a young man--and his father, also named Leonardo. Manuel Antonio De Almeida tells a story in everyday language that is rich in detail of life on the streets and the modest circumstances of the free poor of Rio de Janeiro. Through satirical accounts of the escapades of characters who always seem close to the brink of some personal crisis or social misstep, yet who manage to pull through by hook or by crook, Almeida makes a subtle and incisive comment on Brazilian urban society and culture of the nineteenth century. Now available in a new and lively translation, Memoirs of a Military Sergeant occupies an important position in the satirical literature of Brazil and the world. |
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MEMOIRS OF A MILITIA SERGEANT
User Review - Jane Doe - KirkusMemoirs Of A Militia Sergeant ($25.00; Dec.; 224 pp.; 0-19-511549-X): The lives of Portuguese-occupied Brazil's black slave populace and —poor free people— alike are memorably dramatized in this ... Read full review
Memoirs of a militia sergeant: a novel
User Review - Not Available - Book VerdictA staple of Brazilian literature, this 1855 novel (it was serialized a few years earlier) follows Leonardo, a scamp of a boy who grows into a roguish adult who takes after his cad of a father, also ... Read full review
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Alfredo Bosi Almeida arrived bailiffs barber began Brazil Brazilian Cândido characters Chico-Juca child Chiquinha comadre comadre's Context and Social corner Crónica custom devil Dona Maria Dona Maria's house door dress everything eyes face fado father finally godfather godmother godson going grenadiers guitar gypsy gypsy girl hand happened head José Manuel knew lackey laughing laughter leave Leonardo Leonardo-Pataca Lisbon liturgy master lived look Luisinha Magic Telescope Major Vidigal male cousins mantilla Maria-Regalada Mário de Andrade meirinho Memoirs Militia Sergeant modinha neighbor lady never niece night novel old women oratory Pacotilha passed Pataca poor prayer master readers Rio de Janeiro royal pantries sacristan satiric seemed senhora slaves smallsword smiled Social Topography someone soon story street talk tell Teotónio thing told took turn Vidigal's Vidinha voice woman words young youngster
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Page x - Culture and Nation in Iberoamerica," organized by the editorial board of the Library of Latin America. We received substantial institutional support and personal encouragement from the Institute of Latin American Studies of the University of Texas at Austin. The support of Edward Barry of Oxford University Press has been crucial, as has the advice and help of Ellen Chodosh of Oxford University Press. The first volumes of the series were published after the untimely death, on July 3,1997, of Maria...