David's Reviews > A Cidade e as Serras

What an enjoyable and fun read!

This novel, as the title bears, makes a comparison to living in the big city with the rural life in the hills of Portugal. It starts off with a bias. The main character refers to Paris as, “ah civilization!” and when speaking of Portugal, “oh the horror!” (Guiães). Yep, a tale of two contrasts.

Our main character is Prince Jacintho, an eccentric rich man who lives at No. 202, Champs-Elysee. Upper crust, in the know, who knows everyone. A man of people in high places. Civilization is made up of the rich, culture, the opera and technology. He has every new gadget available, from the all new telephone to carbonated water (can’t trust the tap water).

Published in 1901, the story is set in the late 1800s. Early in the book while in Paris a visit is made to the Basilica Sacre-Couer still under construction and later there is mention of the new Eiffel Tower (1889). Although the Prince loves Paris, at one point he asks “Is it all an illusion?” Maybe the good life has some cracks?

The entire book is told from his friend, Ze Fernandes, who hails from that small town in Portugal and comes for a visit of the city of lights. But through a series of faux paux’s , the Prince and Ze Fernandes to journey to his home town. Even while the train pulls away from Paris, the prince utters, “farewell Europe!” What is he getting himself into?

And Portugal? First his butler along with thirty luggage bags accidentally board a train for Madrid, the prince arrives in “as serras” with nothing but the clothes on his back. “Oh the horror, the horror!” His accommodation is “disgusting” and he is ready to head home. But he doesn’t. Why?

Our friends have something in common. Books. Zé Fernandes brings up Virgil’s Eclogues, then Horace and even Homer to reinforce the good rural life. The people? Not half bad. Not pretentious like his friends in Paris. The prince throws a party and he is the focus of the party. The poor people? He must help them. He has a cause.

I won’t reveal the ending but I was pleasantly entertained. José Maria Eça de Queiroz has a way of painting scenes, playing with the characters and even poking fun at society.

A very enjoyable read and a good laugh.