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Macunaíma

By Mário de Andrade
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Macunaíma by Mário de Andrade is a whimsical tale following the adventures of the shape-shifting, anti-hero Macunaíma, who embodies both idleness and cunning. Set predominantly in the Amazon rainforest, the story is a vibrant tapestry of Brazilian folklore and mythical elements, exploring the cultural diversity and contradictions of Brazil. Through humour and fantasy, it offers a rich, multifaceted exploration of Brazilian identity.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate innovative narratives that explore Brazilian folklore and culture with a mix of humour and surrealism. It's ideal for readers who are intrigued by vibrant mythology, rich storytelling, and a portrayal of the dynamic Brazilian spirit.

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A brilliant new translation of the Brazilian modernist epic that aims to capture the country's complex identity.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Here at last is an exciting new translation of the modernist Brazilian epic Macunaíma, by Mário de Andrade. This landmark novel from 1928 has been hugely influential. It follows the adventures of the shapeshifting Macunaíma and his brothers as they leave their home in the northern Amazon for a whirlwind tour of Brazil, cramming four centuries and a continental expanse into a single mythic plane.

Having lost a magic amulet, the hero and his brothers journey to São Paulo to retrieve the talisman that has fallen into the hands of an Italo-Peruvian captain of industry (who is also a cannibal giant).

Written over six delirious days—the fruit of years of study—Macunaíma magically synthesises dialect, folklore, anthropology, mythology, flora, fauna, and pop culture to examine Brazilian identity.

This brilliant translation by Katrina Dodson has been many years in the making and includes an extensive section of notes providing essential background information for this magnificent work.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Macunaíma is hailed as a vision of mythical Brazilian consciousness and is celebrated for its energetic, picaresque narrative that traverses themes of birth, triumph, decline, and death. The novel is praised as a unique and miraculous piece of literature, with the translation by Katrina Dodson receiving commendation for bringing the work's vibrancy to English-speaking audiences. The book's revival in English is seen as a fortunate development, offering readers a fresh and dazzling experience.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781804270264

Publisher: Fitzcarraldo Editions

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 17 May 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Fitzcarraldo Editions

Contributors:

  • Translated by Katrina Dodson
  • Introduction by John Keene

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 121.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 320

Collections

Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Mário de Andrade

About the Author

Mario de Andrade (1893-1945) was a poet, novelist, critic, piano teacher, ethnomusicologist, and a leading figure in Brazilian culture. He was a central instigator of the 1922 Semana de Arte Moderna (Modern Art Week), which marked a new era of modernism. He spent much of his life pioneering the study and preservation of Brazilian folk heritage and was the founding director of Sao Paulo's Department of Culture.

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