Just as Brazilians travel to other places through reading international authors, readers from other countries can also travel through Brazil through our literature.
With this, we see the importance of reading, which as the author George R. R. Martin, author of Game of Thrones, says: “I have lived a thousand lives and loved a thousand loves. I walked through distant worlds and saw the end of time. Because I read”. Reading transforms and Brazilian literature has a lot to offer the world.
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Voyage through Brazil: The 5 most read national books worldwide
Showing a Brazil different from common sense, carnival and beaches, we selected five books most read national nationals worldwide, bringing a reflection of the country and allowing other nations to know and travel through our territory.
Grande Sertão: Veredas, by Guimarães Rosa
Launched in 1956, Great Sertão: Veredas
, by the author from Minas Gerais, Guimarães Rosa, is one of the most widely read Brazilian books abroad and shows a Brazil that is very different from that imagined by foreigners. Today, the work is considered one of the most important in Brazilian and Portuguese-speaking literature.Portraying life in the sertão, the work stars Riobaldo, who reports his life, struggles, thoughts, fears and his relationship with Diadorim, for whom he felt attraction, but repressed.
Captains of the Sand, by Jorge Amado
From the famous Bahian author Jorge Amado, also author of Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands, Tieta do Agreste It is Clove and Cinnamon, the author's books were brought in 49 languages, being Sand captains his most famous work worldwide.
Written in 1937, it reflects part of the Romance de 30 movement and also shows the city of Salvador beyond the beauties of tourism, narrating the story of boys from a marginal life, with a life marked by tragedies and miseries. The work stands out for being one of the first to address the issue of minors on the streets.
The Hour of the Star, by Clarice Lispector
Narrating the story of Macabéa, who migrates from Alagoas to Rio de Janeiro and lives a life without major events, despite feeling out of place with the different culture. Published in 1977, according to Clarice herself, the story portrays “a trampled innocence” and, in a way, her own stories.
The work has already been adapted for cinema, with Fernanda Montenegro as the protagonist Macabéa. In addition, the production has already been chosen as one of the 100 best Brazilian films of all time.
Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas, by Machado de Assis
Published as a serial in 1880, The Posthumous Memoirs of Bras Cubas gained its book form the following year, 1881. Despite dividing opinions at the time, due to the thematic innovation of the work, it is currently one of the most important books in national literature.
Presenting himself as a “ghost narrator”, Brás Cubas portrays slavery, scientism and social classes, portraying Rio society with irony, pessimism or even indifference. In the United States, the work gained a new translation in 2020 and sold out within a day of its release.
The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho
Most recent work on the list, The Alchemist, from 1988, is also the best-selling book written by a Brazilian internationally, surpassing the mark of 65 million copies, published in 68 languages. In addition, Paulo Coelho's work is one of the best-selling books in history.
In the narrative, Santiago finally lives freely, as he always wanted as a child. However, a dream that repeats itself every night takes away his rest. The work, which brings reflections on destiny and dreams, is the most translated Brazilian book in the world.
Even for Brazilians, national literature still allows us to travel through unknown regions, whether due to physical or cultural distance.
In this way, supporting authors from the country is a way of supporting and reinforcing Brazilian culture. Which of these books have you read? Share with a friend who only reads books by international authors and show the power of national authors!
