Oscar Wilde is remembered for Dorian Gray and the drawing-room comedies, yet his tales and prose poems hold the whole artist: compassionate, satirical, mystical and unsparing. A guided tour from The Happy Prince to The House of Judgment, with the aphorisms and what they mean for readers today.
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On October 9, 1893, Mário de Andrade was born in São Paulo, and Brazilian literature found its most generous builder. Poet, novelist, musicologist, folklorist, and tireless letter-writer, he helped launch the 1922 Week of Modern Art and spent his short life insisting that Brazilian art should sound like Brazil. As the 133rd anniversary of his birth approaches, we revisit his life and major achievements: the poems of Paulicéia Desvairada, the shape-shifting trickster epic Macunaíma: The Hero Without Any Character, and the quietly devastating short fiction of Contos novos, from “Vestida de preto” to “O peru de Natal”. We also trace his legacy, from the library and museum that bear his name to his influence on modern poetry, prose, and cultural policy across Brazil and beyond. The post closes with four verified quotes drawn from his books and essays, including the famous “Eu sou trezentos” (“I am three hundred”). Whether you are meeting him for the first time or returning to an old companion, this is an invitation to listen for the music under his plain words. Continue reading Mario de Andrade
A quiet London bed and breakfast, a warm and eccentric landlady, and three nights of one-sided telephone calls that shouldn’t be happening. “The Guest Room” is Enzo Martinelli’s first gothic short story — a tale of suburban unease where the real horror lives in what’s left unsaid. Continue reading The Guest Room, by Enzo Martinelli 🔮🖋👻
Born in Rio de Janeiro on June 21, 1839, Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis is widely celebrated as the classic master of Brazilian literature , a writer whose wit and irony transcended his country’s borders to influence world literature at large. On the 187th anniversary of his birth, we’re proud to announce a new ebook in preparation: the English translation of Papéis Avulsos, his 1882 collection gathering twelve short stories , including the celebrated satirical novella “O Alienista,” in which Machado wittily skewers the era’s blind faith in scientific positivism . Featuring critical essays on his poetics, this edition will finally bring one of his most pivotal works to English-speaking readers in full. Continue reading Short stories by Machado de Assis ✒️📃🇧🇷
The base of all methaphysics – Walt Whitman – Leaves of Grass – Calamus – 1892 – translated from English into Spanish 🇪🇸 and Italian 🇮🇹 by Enzo Martinelli © 2024 Enzo Martinelli And now gentlemen,A word I give to remain in your memories and minds,As base and finale too for all metaphysics.(So to the students the old professor,At the close of his crowded course.)Having … Continue reading The base of all metaphysics, by Whitman 🌿🖋📖
Marking the 85th anniversary of Fernando Pessoa’s death – 30/11/1935 Born in Lisbon on 13 June 1888 and educated in Durban, South Africa, Fernando Pessoa is one of the most intriguing literary personalities of the past century and one of the greatest poets in the Portuguese language. This year marks the 85th anniversary of his death in Lisbon in 1935. As a prolific writer he … Continue reading Fernando Pessoa 🇵🇹✒️🇬🇧
In celebrazione del 122° anniversario della nascita di Federico García Lorca, nato il 5 giugno 1898 Nato il 5 giugno 1898 a Fuente Vaqueros, Granada, nella Spagna andalusa, Federico García Lorca è uno degli intellettuali spagnoli più emblematici del Novecento. Il più importante poeta del gruppo Generazione del ’27 e uno dei più celebri ed influenti poeti spagnoli, Federico García Lorca è famoso anche per … Continue reading Federico García Lorca ✒️🇪🇸🇮🇹
Celebrating the 201st anniversary of Walt Whitman’s birth, born in New York on 31/5/1819 Walt Whitman was an American poet and a humanist. He is considered one of the most influential poets in the United States. His poetry was a reflection of his thoughts and feelings about democracy, nature, sexuality, death, and other topics. Born in New York in 1819, Walt Whitman is acknowledged among … Continue reading Walt Whitman 🇺🇸✒️🌿
Celebrating the 200th anniversary of Walt Whitman’s birth – 31/5/2019 Walt Whitman is acknowledged among the most influencial American poets and as a great interpreter of the American soul in the second half of the XIX century. Whitman was also an innovator in poetry, often recognised as the father of the free verse. His collection of poems “Leaves of Grass” was first published in 1855, … Continue reading Walt Whitman
🇮🇹 Appena finito di leggere Camere separate di Pier Vittorio Tondelli, un viaggio intimista e solitario di uno scrittore che ci ha lasciato troppo presto 🇬🇧Just finished one of my most pleasurable reading of the last novel, Separated Rooms, by Tondelli, a talented writer we lost too soon 👨🏽💻♥️📚📱 Continue reading Separated Rooms
