eBook - ePub
Quincas Borba
About this book
Quincas Borba is a brilliant and darkly ironic novel by Machado de Assis, one of Brazil's most celebrated literary masters. Blending sharp social satire with profound psychological insight, this unforgettable story explores ambition, illusion, greed, and the fragile boundaries between sanity and madness.
At the heart of the novel is Rubião, a modest schoolteacher whose life takes an unexpected turn when he inherits a vast fortune from his eccentric philosopher friend, Quincas Borba—along with the responsibility of caring for Borba's beloved dog, also named Quincas Borba. Alongside the inheritance comes a strange philosophical doctrine known as "Humanitism," a parody of scientific and philosophical theories that claims to explain the nature of existence through an absurd yet strangely compelling logic.
Suddenly wealthy and thrust into the sophisticated society of Rio de Janeiro, Rubião becomes an easy target for opportunists. He falls under the influence of a charming but manipulative couple who skillfully exploit his generosity and naivety. As Rubião attempts to navigate high society, romance, and the meaning of his friend's peculiar philosophy, his grip on reality gradually begins to slip.
Through subtle humor and biting irony, Machado de Assis dissects the vanity and hypocrisy of social ambition. The novel examines how wealth can distort relationships, how power invites exploitation, and how easily idealism can be manipulated. Beneath the wit and elegance lies a tragic meditation on loneliness and the vulnerability of the human mind.
Quincas Borba stands as both a continuation of themes introduced in Machado's earlier works and a powerful narrative in its own right. With its unforgettable characters, satirical brilliance, and psychological depth, the novel offers readers a timeless reflection on human nature and the illusions that shape our lives.
Trusted by 375,005 students
Access to over 1 million titles for a fair monthly price.
Study more efficiently using our study tools.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Contents
- Prologue
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 18
- Chapter 19
- Chapter 20
- Chapter 21
- Chapter 22
- Chapter 23
- Chapter 24
- Chapter 25
- Chapter 26
- Chapter 27
- Chapter 28
- Chapter 29
- Chapter 30
- Chapter 31
- Chapter 32
- Chapter 33
- Chapter 34
- Chapter 35
- Chapter 36
- Chapter 37
- Chapter 38
- Chapter 39
- Chapter 40
- Chapter 41
- Chapter 42
- Chapter 43
- Chapter 44
- Chapter 45
- Chapter 46
- Chapter 47
- Chapter 48
- Chapter 49
- Chapter 50
- Chapter 51
- Chapter 52
- Chapter 53
- Chapter 54
- Chapter 55
- Chapter 56
- Chapter 57
- Chapter 58
- Chapter 59
- Chapter 60
- Chapter 61
- Chapter 62
- Chapter 63
- Chapter 64
- Chapter 65
- Chapter 66
- Chapter 67
- Chapter 68
- Chapter 69
- Chapter 70
- Chapter 71
- Chapter 72
- Chapter 73
- Chapter 74
- Chapter 75
- Chapter 76
- Chapter 77
- Chapter 78
- Chapter 79
- Chapter 80
- Chapter 81
- Chapter 82
- Chapter 83
- Chapter 84
- Chapter 85
- Chapter 86
- Chapter 87
- Chapter 88
- Chapter 89
- Chapter 90
- Chapter 91
- Chapter 92
- Chapter 93
- Chapter 94
- Chapter 95
- Chapter 96
- Chapter 97
- Chapter 98
- Chapter 99
- Chapter 100
- Chapter 101
- Chapter 102
- Chapter 103
- Chapter 104
- Chapter 105
- Chapter 106
- Chapter 107
- Chapter 108
- Chapter 109
- Chapter 110
- Chapter 111
- Chapter 112
- Chapter 113
- Chapter 114
- Chapter 115
- Chapter 116
- Chapter 117
- Chapter 118
- Chapter 119
- Chapter 120
- Chapter 121
- Chapter 122
- Chapter 123
- Chapter 124
- Chapter 125
- Chapter 126
- Chapter 127
- Chapter 128
- Chapter 129
- Chapter 130
- Chapter 131
- Chapter 132
- Chapter 133
- Chapter 134
- Chapter 135
- Chapter 136
- Chapter 137
- Chapter 138
- Chapter 139
- Chapter 140
- Chapter 141
- Chapter 142
- Chapter 143
- Chapter 144
- Chapter 145
- Chapter 146
- Chapter 147
- Chapter 148
- Chapter 149
- Chapter 150
- Chapter 151
- Chapter 152
- Chapter 153
- Chapter 154
- Chapter 155
- Chapter 156
- Chapter 157
- Chapter 158
- Chapter 159
- Chapter 160
- Chapter 161
- Chapter 162
- Chapter 163
- Chapter 164
- Chapter 165
- Chapter 166
- Chapter 167
- Chapter 168
- Chapter 169
- Chapter 170
- Chapter 171
- Chapter 172
- Chapter 173
- Chapter 174
- Chapter 175
- Chapter 176
- Chapter 177
- Chapter 178
- Chapter 179
- Chapter 180
- Chapter 181
- Chapter 182
- Chapter 183
- Chapter 184
- Chapter 185
- Chapter 186
- Chapter 187
- Chapter 188
- Chapter 189
- Chapter 190
- Chapter 191
- Chapter 192
- Chapter 193
- Chapter 194
- Chapter 195
- Chapter 196
- Chapter 197
- Chapter 198
- Chapter 199
- Chapter 200
- Chapter 201
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cancel anytime from the Subscription tab in your account settings on the Perlego website. Your subscription will stay active until the end of your current billing period. Learn how to cancel your subscription
No, books cannot be downloaded as external files, such as PDFs, for use outside of Perlego. However, you can download books within the Perlego app for offline reading on mobile or tablet. Learn how to download books offline
Perlego offers two plans: Essential and Complete
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
We are an online textbook subscription service, where you can get access to an entire online library for less than the price of a single book per month. With over 1 million books across 990+ topics, we’ve got you covered! Learn about our mission
Look out for the read-aloud symbol on your next book to see if you can listen to it. The read-aloud tool reads text aloud for you, highlighting the text as it is being read. You can pause it, speed it up and slow it down. Learn more about Read Aloud
Yes! You can use the Perlego app on both iOS and Android devices to read anytime, anywhere — even offline. Perfect for commutes or when you’re on the go.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app
Yes, you can access Quincas Borba by Machado de Assis in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Literature & Literature General. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.
