Eça de Queiroz (Dedalus)
Cousin Bazilio was a popular novel when it was first released in 1878, first published in Portugal and then translated around the world. Margaret Jull Costa, a translator much praised and enjoyed in the past, has done a fantastic job of re-creating the parody, contradictions and marital politics that this book portrays.
Sprawled across 440 pages, the romantic hypocrisy of 19th century Lisbon is shown through the vivid characters of Luiza, the air-head wife, Jorge, the outwardly devoted husband, Leaopoldina, the openly sexual source of gossip and many other sexually confined and confused characters.
The scrutiny of the servants reveals the lewd underbelly of respectable life as their sins are scattered across the adulterous characters.
Blackmail, sentimentality and lust… Secrets the characters pretend they don’t have.
Price: £12.99 Info: www.dedalusbooks.com
words MONICA MARTIN
