The Maias
(Author) Eca de QueirozThe Maias is part of Dedalus' project to make all of Eca de Queiroz' major works available in English. Margaret Jull Costa's translation of The Maias won both The Pen and The Oxford Weidenfeld Translation Prizes. According to Publishers Weekly, 'This novel stands with the great achievements of fiction.'
Eca de Queiroz
José Maria de Eça de Queiroz, commonly known as Eça de Queiroz, was a 19th-century Portuguese writer considered one of the greatest novelists in Portuguese literature. His works are known for their realistic and satirical portrayal of society, politics, and human nature. Some of his most notable works include "The Crime of Father Amaro," "The Maias," and "The City and the Mountains."
Eça de Queiroz's writing style is characterized by his sharp wit, keen observations, and detailed descriptions of characters and social settings. He often critiqued the moral and social norms of his time, shedding light on the hypocrisies and flaws of society.
His contributions to literature include pioneering the naturalist movement in Portuguese literature, which focused on portraying reality objectively and scientifically. Eça de Queiroz's works have had a lasting impact on the development of the novel as a literary genre in Portugal and beyond.
His most famous work, "The Maias," is considered a masterpiece of Portuguese literature and a classic of European literature. It tells the story of a wealthy and influential Portuguese family and explores themes of decadence, ambition, and societal change.
Overall, Eça de Queiroz's works continue to be celebrated for their insightful critique of society, compelling storytelling, and enduring relevance to contemporary readers.