''O Mandarim'' is a novel by Eça de Queirós, first published in 1880, that follows Theodoro, a humble clerk in Portugal who becomes obsessed with a legend about a wealthy Mandarim in China. When he learns that he can inherit the Mandarim's fortune by tolling a bell that signals the Mandarim's death, he faces a moral dilemma that challenges his values and ambitions. The narrative delves into themes of desire, guilt, and the consequences of one's actions, making it a notable exploration of wealth and morality in 19th-century Portuguese fiction.
