Brazilian Tales

Henrique Coelho Netto

1864–1934

A leading voice in Brazilian letters at the turn of the 20th century, this novelist, short-story writer, and playwright was celebrated in his lifetime for his energy, eloquence, and enormous range. He helped shape Brazil’s literary life not only through his books, but also through teaching, journalism, and public service.

Best known as a bold Brazilian columnist and fiction writer, this pioneering voice used sharp wit and clear-eyed social criticism to challenge the limits placed on women in her time. Writing under a pen name, she became one of the most outspoken literary figures of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Machado de Assis

1839–1908

One of Brazil’s greatest novelists, he transformed fiction with sly humor, unreliable narrators, and a sharp eye for human vanity. His stories still feel startlingly modern, mixing elegance with irony and psychological depth.