In 1876, Queiroz wrote his realist manifesto, "Idealism and Realism." In it he sets out part of his philosophy of realist art. Queiroz must stand beside the great artist of this genre, George Eliot, as one of the champions of fiction as we know it today. In his excellent translation and introduction, J. Pailler reveals the life and mind of this oft-looked over genius. The original Portuguese text has also been included for students of the language. Included in this section is George Eliot's excellent realist apologia, found in her first major novel, Adam Bede. It might surprise you that the first realist work, Adam Bede, was published in exactly the same year (1859) as Darwin's Origin of the Species.
|
|
Introducing Eça de Queiroz is an awkward task. In Portugal, Brazil, and generally in the Portuguese-speaking world, he is far too famous to need an introduction. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Well! This is a book that I shall have written twice! Habent sua fata libelli |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Aqui está pois um livro que eu escrevo pela segunda fez! Habent sua fata libelli! |
|
Read more...
|
|
 Wayne F Burke brings to light a respected but unfairly neglected master of crime fiction, Chester Himes. Chester Himes was more than a crime-writer, however – his novels included an awareness of racial discrimination, focusing on the condition of blacks in America. An excellent introduction to a great author. |
|
Read more...
|
|
 The following text is a beautiful manifesto of George Eliot's realist agenda. It says more in its brief paragraphs than many have in volumes. It finds itself at the beginning of part two in Eliot's first "real" novel, Adam Bede. While betraying the author's inchoate genius, and occasional developmental clumsiness, Adam Bede is quite possibly the most important work in realist fiction. For it is Eliot who started this movement, almost single handedly; and it is to her that all other similar writers paid homage (no matter how grudgingly). The inclusion of this explanation of Eliot's art could be put down to rookie uncertainty, or the neurosis of the original but as yet unblooded author. However, so revolutionary was Eliot's art that it was a necessary function, and a great insight into the work of this godhead. |
|
Read more...
|
|
 Pietro di Donato's mix of realist vernacular and Joycean narrative in his first (and best) novel, Christ in Concrete, blends mimesis and the avant-garde in an effective manner. This review by Wayne F. Burke succinctly explores di Donato's prose and life. (Part of the Idealism & Realism series). |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Idealism & Realism