The great nineteenth century Portuguese novelist, Eca de Queiroz, began his career as a self-declared realist, but as his writing evolved; his novels and stories became a potent blend of realism and fantasy. In this volume, comprising one short novel and ten short stories, the reader is introduced to a dazzling variety of worlds and characters ? a deceived husband who finds that jealousy is not the answer, a lovelorn Greek poet turned waiter working in a Charing Cross hotel, a saintly young woman soured by love, a follower of St Francis who learns that an entire life of virtue can be besmirched by one cruel act, Adam in Paradise pondering the pros and cons of dominion over the earth, Ulysses choosing mortal imperfection over immortal perfection, Jesus healing a child, a loyal nursemaid forced to make a terrible choice, and a confirmed city dweller discovering the joys of country life. AUTHOR: Eca de Queiroz (1845-1900) is considered to be Portugal's greatest novelist. Dedalus has embarked on a project to make all of his major works available in English in new translations by Margaret Jull Costa. The Mandarin, The Relic, The Tragedy of the Street of Flowers, The Crime of Father Amaro, Cousin Brazilio, The Maias and The City and the Mountains have so far been published.
