Rachel de Queiroz: Life and Literature
Rachel de Queiroz is a unique name in Brazilian literature, whether in short stories, chronicles or novels.
Front matter and illustration of the author in the book Seleta, by Rachel de Queiroz, 2ª. ed. (1976) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
Born in Fortaleza in 1910, Rachel de Queiroz was the first woman to enter the Brazilian Academy of Letters, a political activist and translator. Her literary work is marked by deep social sensitivity, reflecting the complex realities of the northeastern hinterland.
Cover of the magazine suplemento Maracajá , second issue, May 26, 1929. (1929) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
Her debut on the literary scene was in the press, contributing to the Suplemento Maracajá.
Poster in the fac simile book edition of O Quinze, by Rachel de Queiroz by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
In 1930, Rachel de Queiroz published her first novel, considered a milestone in modern Brazilian literature.
Illustration on the book O Quinze, by Rachel de Queiroz, 27ª. ed. (1981) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
O Quinze
The book narrates the lives of a group of people in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, during the drought of 1915, known as “the fifteen”.
Woodcut of the book O Quinze, by Rachel de Queiroz (1996) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
O Quinze
With simple and direct prose, Rachel de Queiroz describes the daily struggle of the characters, exploring themes such as poverty, religiosity and resistance.
Page from the book O Quinze, by Rachel de Queiroz.1ª. ed. (1930) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
The theme of drought and her literary quality brought the author onto the national scene. She was awarded the Graça Aranha Prize.
Scanned letter from the book Os Oitenta, referring to the launch of her work, by Rachel de Queiroz (1990) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
In 1936, Rachel de Queiroz joined the editorial and translation staff of Livraria José Olympio Editora, considered to be the most important publishing house.
Front matter and signature of the author in the book João Miguel, by Rachel de Queiroz, 1ª ed. (1932) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
João Miguel
Her second novel, João Miguel, takes up the social characteristic of her works, with a characteristically psychological narrative. As with her debut, it was well received by literary critics.
Scanned illustration of the book Caminhos de Pedra in the book Os Oitenta, by Rachel de Queiroz (1990) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
Caminho de Pedras is a work strongly marked by its political content, considered to be “literary socialism”. It tells the story of a couple and their tensions in the context of Getúlio Vargas' Estado Novo.
Spine and cover of the book As Três Marias, by Rachel de Queiroz, 2ª. ed. (1939) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
As Três Marias
Rachel de Queiroz's autobiographical account of the experiences of the characters who study at a nunnery school in the city of Fortaleza has a psychological and social tone.
Scanned illustration of the book Os Oitenta, by Rachel de Queiroz (1990) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
Dôra, Doralina
In dealing with female emancipation, Dôra, Doralina is a unique work. Maria das Dores, the main character in the narrative, breaks with all the gender standards imposed on women at the time.
Cover of the book Memorial de Maria Moura, by Rachel de Queiroz, 1ª. ed. (1994) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
Memorial de Maria Moura
Set in the 19th century, in the countryside, Rachel de Queiroz tells the story of a strong female character, characteristic of her novels.
Cover of the book Um Alpendre, Uma Rede, Um Açude, by Rachel de Queiroz, 7ª. ed. (2001) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
Um Alpendre, Uma Rede, Um Açude
With settings from Quixadá to Rio de Janeiro, with breaks in cities such as Canindé, and dealing with diverse themes, the publication compiles the author's main chronicles, consecrating her in this literary genre.
Pages 6 and 7 of the book O Menino Mágico, by Rachel de Queiroz, 14ª. ed. (1987) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
O Menino Mágico
Rachel de Queiroz intertwines her affection for her nephews with her love of writing. O Menino Mágico, her first work of children's literature, is about the adventures of Daniel and his cousin Jorge in Rio de Janeiro.
Cover of the children's book Cafute e Pena de Prata, by Rachel de Queiroz, 1ª ed. (1986) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
Cafute & Pena-de-Prata
With illustrations by Ziraldo, Cafute and the Silver Feather is a fable written by Rachel de Queiroz, which tells the story of two chicks and their ways of experiencing the world.
Cover of the children's book Andira, by Rachel de Queiroz, 1ª. ed. (2006) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
Andira
Andira tells the story of a swallow bird and her saga, marked by emotions, love, empathy and a strong friendship with her family of bats, by whom she was raised.
Signed front matter of Três Romances, by Rachel de Queiroz, 4ª. ed . (1948) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
Três Romances
Livraria José Olympio Editora is launching a special edition of the novels O Quinze, João Miguel and Caminho de Pedras.
Front matter with the signature of the family of the author in the book Quatro Romances, by Rachel de Queiroz, 1ª. ed. (1960) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
Quatro Romances
Commissioned by family and friends, the work is full of affection, as can be seen from the dedication.
Cover of the book Quatro Romances, by Rachel de Queiroz, 1ª. ed. (1960) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
Quatro Romances
It brings together O Quinze, João Miguel, Caminho de Pedras, As Três Marias.
Cover of the book Seleta, by Rachel de Queiroz, 2ª. ed. (1976) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
Seleta
In recognition of Rachel de Queiroz's career, the José Olympio publishing house is publishing a selection for secondary school teachers and students. The author appears alongside other important writers, such as Guimarães Rosa.
Cover of the book Tantos Anos, by Rachel de Queiroz, 1ª ed. (1998) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
Tantos Anos
Despite always emphasizing in interviews that she would not write an autobiography, Rachel de Queiroz, together with her sister Maria Luiza de Queiroz, published Tantos anos, her only memoir.
Front matter of the book Os Irmãos Karamázovi, translated by Rachel de Queiroz, 3º vol. (1952) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
Throughout her career at José Olympio Editora, alongside Vera Pacheco Jordão, Rachel has dedicated herself to translation, especially of Russian literature.
Front matter of the book Os Demônios, translated by Rachel de Queiroz, 2º vol. (1951) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
Rachel de Queiroz's works cross borders and her books are translated into French, English, German and other languages, revealing the power of her literature.
Foreign edition of the books written by Rachel de Queiroz, by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
Rachel de Queiroz's work transcends borders with translations into German, French, English and Spanish, conquering an international audience and solidifying her position as one of the leading Brazilian writers of the 20th century.
Page from the japanese edition of O Quinze, by Rachel de Queiroz, 1ª. ed. (1978) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
Her works, such as “O Quinze” and others, achieved global renown, projecting Brazilian literature beyond its national roots and confirming Rachel de Queiroz as an influential voice in world literature.
Cover of the book O Quinze made of woodcut by the Confraria dos Bibliófilos do Brasil (1996) by Rachel de QueirozBiblioteca Pública Estadual do Ceará
Rachel de Queiroz, one of the most important writers in Brazilian literature, has a prolific literary output and has aroused the interest of young and old readers alike. Her works transcend time and generations.
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