medium-paced

Probably innovative for the 1880s, and thus is interesting historically, but in 2025 it feels pretty dull/French. 
challenging reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
cfitz's profile picture

cfitz's review

2.0
funny reflective slow-paced
funny fast-paced
dark funny reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Thought-provoking and weird, in a good way. Your drunk friend telling you a pointless story vibes.
challenging reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
common_household_mom's profile picture

common_household_mom's review

3.75
funny lighthearted sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is a weird but sometimes funny book.  I liked it for the way it challenges the traditional 19th century novel form.  I liked it for the way it mocks the upper class in that society (colonial Brazil).  I started out with one translation, in hardback format, but the print was too small, so I bought a newer translation by Flora Thomson-DeVeaux which I was very satisfied iwth.
emotional lighthearted reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

The print was too tiny for me in the hardback version I had borrowed from the library - it was the only version my library had (no kindle or e-book).  I opted instead to buy the kindle version of a more recent translation by Flora Thomson-DeVeaux.
funny reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes