Reviews

O Alienista by Machado de Assis

heitortrielli's review against another edition

4.0

4/5

ummefatema's review against another edition

funny reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Really enjoyed this classic satire novella about a scientist who returns to his town in Itagui and decides to take up the responsibility of treating it's mentally unwell citizens. Too much does down surrounding his establishment of the Green House. There is politics, power and an insane level of absurdity. Through the lens of comedy we see how downfall is imminent when a singular person is put in charge of something as important as treating and defining who is mentally sane or insane, no matter how fair and uncorrupt they are. Things get especially interesting as we see the alienist himself struggle with this definition since the only person he can consult regarding this is himself. 

So glad I picked it up and looking forward to reading more from this author.

filipa_maia's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 I loved this book and honestly I was not expecting it.

I was expecting something more dark and "heavy" but this is a really easy book to read and, actually, very funny. Obviously that, towards the end, the sad part settles in - the duality of while he is admitting everyone in the 'Green House', because people are insane, his own mental health is degrading.

This is not a book about being sane or not! This is a book about the way we look and judge other people even though we don't know them.

I will search for more of Machado de Assis' books from now on. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Dementia, Medical content, Medical trauma, Confinement, Gaslighting, and Forced institutionalization

Minor: Infertility and Death

lululera99's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

3.75

luvs4w4lls's review against another edition

funny informative reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

what is the real face of madness?
i understand what machado was trying to do here, but i still found it to be a bit silly. nonetheless, this is a must read for anyone interested in psychological issues.

vctrl's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

amandaiki's review against another edition

funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

i5kiwi's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

3.5

ligya's review against another edition

4.0

Esse livro me lembrou o que meu marido (psicólogo) sempre me diz: a sociedade me deu o poder de dizer quem é louco, mas quem vai dizer que EU sou louco!?
Uma leitura muito leve, gostosa e bem humorada.

juliaverlain's review against another edition

challenging funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25