The 33 Greatest Works of Brazilian Literature
This selection of literature from Brazil is based on the continuing research carried out for The Greatest Literature of All Time list and is additionally informed by the views of local readers, writers, critics and scholars.
It also overlaps with, but is different from, the greatest Latin American literature list.
It encompasses the greatest works of Brazilian authors in all forms, genres, cultures and periods.
This list focuses on major creative works—such as novels, novellas, plays and collections—although some short or nonfiction writing of literary significance may also be included.
Latest update: August 27, 2024
1769
O Uraguai
José Basilio de Gama, Brazil
Epic poem
1844
Moreninha
Joaquim Manuel de Macedo, Brazil
novel
1852–1853
Memoirs of a Police Sergeant
Manuel Antônio de Almeida, Brazil
novel
1855
A Night in the Tavern
Álvares de Azevedo, Brazil
story collection
1857
The Guarani
José de Alencar, Brazil
novel
1865
Iracema
José de Alencar, Brazil
novel
1870
Floating Foam
Castro Alves, Brazil
poetry collection
1881
The Posthumous Memoirs of Bras Cuba
Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, Brazil
novel
1882
The Alienist
Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, Brazil
novella
1890
The Slum
Aluísio Azevedo, Brazil
novel
1895
Bom-Crioulo: The Black Man and the Cabin Boy
Adolfo Caminha, Brazil
novel
1899
Dom Casmurro
Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, Brazil
novel
1902
Rebellion in the Backlands
Euclides da Cunha, Brazil
nonfiction novel
1911
The Sad End of Policarpo Quaresma
Lima Barreto, Brazil
novel
1912
Me and Other Poems
Augusto dos Anjos, Brazil
poetry collection
1928
Macunaíma
Marío de Andrade, Brazil
novel
1938
Barren Lives
Graciliano Ramos, Brazil
novel
1943
Near to the Wild Heart
Clarice Lispector, Brazil
novel
1950
Poetic Anthology
Carlos Drummond de Andrade, Brazil
poetry collection
1956
The Devil to Pay in the Backlands
João Guimarães Rosa, Brazil
novel
1958
Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon
Jorge Amado, Brazil
novel
1964
The Passion According to GH
Clarice Lispector, Brazil
novel
1968
Tent of Miracles
Jorge Amado, Brazil
novel
1975
Ancient Tillage
Raduan Nassar, Brazil
novel
1977
The Hour of the Star
Clarice Lispector, Brazil
novel
1988
The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho, Brazil
novel
1991
Sun Sets in São Paulo
Berardo Carv alho, Brazil
novel
1997
City of God
Paulo Lins, Brazil
novel
1998
Veronika Decides to Die
Paulo Coelho, Brazil
novel
1999
Capão Pecado
Ferréz, Brazil
novel
2000
The Devil and Miss Prym
Paulo Coelho, Brazil
novel
2000
Two Brothers
Milton Hatoum, Brazil
novel
2003
Budapest
Chico Buarque, Brazil
novel
