Title: Senhora
Author: José de Alencar
First published January 1, 1870
230 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9788508040780 (ISBN10: 8508040784)
Rating: 3.6
Overview
José de Alencar’s Senhora challenges the age-old question: which is more powerful, money or love? In a world where appearances are everything, the heroine Aurélia Camargo emerges as a force to be reckoned with.
With all her insecurities and contradictions, she fights for the power of true choice, defying the values of her time and ours. This masterful work of literary fiction offers a refined and sophisticated look into the society of Rio de Janeiro, making it a must-read for lovers of the genre.
About the Author
José Martiniano de Alencar was a multi-talented Brazilian who excelled in various fields such as law, politics, oration, novels, and plays. He is renowned as one of the most prominent writers of the first generation of Brazilian Romanticism and is famous for his historical, regional, and Indianist romance novels, with The Guarani being his most well-known work.
Alencar also wrote using the pen name Erasmo. In addition, he is the patron of the 23rd chair of the Brazilian Academy of Letters.
Alencar was born on May 1, 1829, in Messejana, which is now a neighborhood in Brazil. His parents were a priest and his cousin, Ana Josefina de Alencar.
After moving to São Paulo in 1844, he graduated in Law from the Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de São Paulo in 1850 and began his career as a lawyer in Rio de Janeiro. He was invited by his friend Francisco Otaviano to write for the Correio Mercantil journal, and he also contributed to the Diário do Rio de Janeiro and the Jornal do Commercio.
In 1856, Alencar gained notoriety for his writing in the Diário do Rio de Janeiro, where he criticized the poem “Confederação dos Tamoios” by Gonçalves de Magalhães in a series of letters titled “Cartas sobre A Confederação dos Tamoios,” under the pseudonym Ig. In the same year, he wrote and published his first novel, “Cinco Minutos,” in feuilleton form.
Alencar was personal friends with Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, who coincidentally occupied the chair that Alencar is the patron of. Alencar passed away in 1877 in Rio de Janeiro from tuberculosis.
Editoral Review
In the world of Brazilian literature, Jos de Alencar’s Senhora holds a place of significance. First published in 1870, this novel has remained a classic over the centuries, and its impact is felt even today.
Alencar, a lawyer and politician turned writer, was a master of the romance style in Brazilian literature. Senhora, which is emblematic of his works, explores themes of love, class divide, and gender roles in Brazilian society.
The plot of Senhora revolves around Aurlia Camargo, a beautiful and wealthy young woman who has a troubled past. Despite possessing all the riches and prestige society can offer, she still struggles to find true love due to her history.
As the story unfolds, Aurlia meets Fernando Seixas, a young lawyer from a lower social class, and they fall in love. However, society’s boundaries prove formidable, and they must navigate the challenges of class and love to save their relationship.
Alencar’s writing style is both beautiful and detailed. His prose gives insight into the complexities of Brazilian society during his time.
The novels character development is also commendable. Both Aurlia and Fernandos arcs are well-crafted and bring the story to life.
The setting, which is described in rich detail, immerses the reader in Brazilian culture and history. However, there are flaws in the story.
It is, at times, predictable, and some character actions feel contrived to fit the plot. Additionally, there are moments where the dialogue can come off as overly dramatic.
These are minor issues, but they do detract from the overall experience. In terms of historical significance, Senhora offers valuable insight into Brazilian society during the 19th century.
The novel explores the impact of slavery, class divide, and gender roles on society. It remains relevant today, as the themes of love, class, and gender inequality are still prevalent in contemporary Brazil.
Overall, Senhora is a compelling read that offers valuable insight into Brazilian society’s complexities during the 19th century. Though it has its flaws, the novels strengths more than make up for them.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Brazilian literature, history, or romance novels. It’s a classic and an excellent addition to any bookshelf.
As such, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
