José Maria Eça de Queirós

José Maria Eça de Queirós (1845-1900) was a 19th century Portuguese diplomat and writer. His most famous work, “The Maias“, is considered one of the masterpieces of Portuguese literature.

Published in 1888, “The Maias” is a family saga that portrays the decline of the Portuguese aristocracy through the history of the Maia family. The novel addresses themes such as love, politics, moral decadence and the hypocrisy of 19th century Lisbon society. Eça de Queirós presents a scathing and ironic critique of Portuguese society at the time, using refined language and fluid writing that captivates the reader.

José Maria Eça de Queirós had a strong connection with the Chiado neighborhood, where he spent part of his life and where some of his works take place. Chiado was one of Lisbon’s cultural and intellectual centers at the time, frequented by writers, artists and bohemians. The cosmopolitan and vibrant atmosphere of the neighborhood influenced Eça’s writing, which accurately portrayed the customs and contradictions of Lisbon society.

Eça de Queirós also stood out for his innovation in the Portuguese language, introducing a more colloquial narrative style, breaking with previous literary traditions and bringing literary language closer to spoken language. The fluent prose and detailed descriptions give his works a unique character and a linguistic richness that continues to captivate readers to this day.