Os Maias: Episodios Da Vida Romantica

''Os Maias: episódios da vida romântica'' by Eça de Queirós is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the Maia family, particularly focusing on two male heirs: the elderly patriarch Affonso da Maia and his ambitious grandson Carlos. The book delves into their lives, exploring themes of family ties, societal expectations, and the romantic entanglements that complicate their existence. The opening portion of the novel introduces the reader to the house known as the Ramalhete, which the Maias decided to inhabit in Lisbon during the autumn of 1875. The narrative paints a vivid picture of the family's history, their previous property in Bemfica, and the heir's contrasting lifestyles as Carlos returns from medical studies in Coimbra. Affonso expresses a desire to return to the Ramalhete, a decision met with mixed reactions from his associates. As the story unfolds, we are presented with their familial dynamics, the legacy of the Maia name, and the various characters that will interact with this complicated family, setting the stage for the events that will follow.