The 28 Best Books About Brazil To Get To Know Brazil By Reading

Literature has the power to unfold the history, the culture and the people of a country, by the eyes of authors.

What do you imagine when you think of Brazil? Tourist beaches, majestic nature, Carnival and football?

We can’t deny that this emergent country in South America is known by these great features, a kind of stereotyped image abroad. And that’s why people want to know more about it. 

Although they are important aspects of Brazil, they are the tip of the iceberg that keeps a huge country hidden on narrow library shelves. There’s much more to discover under surface as you'll discover in this list of books about Brazil.

A Dive Into Brazilian Literature

According to academic research, in the last century, around one hundred Brazilian authors were translated into English. On average two books about Brazil are translated per year.

That isn’t a great amount, unfortunately, and that has been keeping Brazil away from the core of World Literature so far.

Brazilian literature is usually put under the label of Latin American publishing because of geographical reasons.

Also, people usually look for the exotic aspects of Brazil, but there are huge cultural, political and social features out of sight. 

Brazil is almost the size of a continent, was colonised by several countries, and that background helped form a multifaceted country. Let's now go on a quick tour through Brazilian literature from its very beginning.

Stages of Brazilian literature

When it comes to books about Brazil translated into English, we can divide this universe in three stages: 1- The Pioneers; 2- The Prime Time; 3- The Contemporaries.

The Pioneers (1850-1950)

The pioneers are the first group of authors to have their writings translated internationally. Their works send us back to the late 19^th century and the early 20^th century.

Below you'll find a table with some of these Brazilian authors and their remarkable literary work that made history, organised by period. Afterwards, you'll find brief overviews of some selected books about Brazil to add to your reading list.

The Pioneers Library

Suggestions For Reading By The Pioneers

Historically, Machado de Assis and Clarice Lispector are the most representative in this group, considering the amount of translated work into English.

Along with José de Alencar, the so-called father of Brazilian Literature, Machado de Assis is one of the greatest names of the very beginning of the 19^th century. There are dozens of translations of his books.

Clarice Lispector is the only woman in the ranking of the most translated Brazilian authors, ahead of Machado de Assis. According to UNESCO, she is the most translated female Brazilian writer in the world. Her work became long-established even after her death.

#1 The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas, by Machado de Assis

Translated also as “Epitaph of a Small Winner”, this novel is the story of a decadent aristocrat who writes his memoirs after death.

The edition translated into English is the most sold Latin book on Amazon.

Recently it went viral because of the review of a Tik Tok influencer.

#2 Senhora: The Profile of a woman, by José de Alencar

Senhora means madam, the feminine of senhor (mister).

Aurelia is the main character, and she is a powerful woman who stands out against patriarchal society.

So, you will find a psychological plot in this urban novel. 

#3 Iraçéma, the Honey-Lips: a legend of Brazil, by José de Alencar

This book was the very first fiction novel translated into English.

The book recounts the origins of Brazil through the story between a colonist and Iracema, an Indigenous native.

They had a son who was supposed to be the “new man of the new world”.

#4 Industrial Park, by Patricia Galvão

The story takes place during the Industrial Revolution, and it unveils the miserable conditions of women workers in the textile industry in the capital of Sao Paulo.

The novel dramatises the problems of exploitation, poverty and racial prejudice, among other topics.

#5 Mullato, by Aluísio de Azevedo

For anyone who is interested in race relations, this story takes place in the capital of Sao Luis do Maranhao, during the 1870s, when slavery still existed.

Sao Luis was a very conservative city in which the Catholic church was openly against abolition.

#6 The Slum, by Aluísio de Azevedo

The Slum is one of the most read and acclaimed novels about Brazil.

With realistic descriptions, it is one of the truest portraits of that 19^th century Brazilian society ever.

The Prime Time (1950 – 2000)

The following decades were decisive for Brazilian literature translation into English. There was a boom of authors that got translated, mainly in the 1980s and 1990s, which contributed to the birth of an international readership, especially in the United States. 

Lots of writers started to get established internationally. They became canonical along with the pioneers, as their work remain respected over decades. Clarice Lispector, one of the first translated authors, remained important as translation evolved.

These works send us back to the second half of the 20^th century. Below you'll find a table of some Brazilian authors and their remarkable literary work, organised by decade. Next you'll find my top picks of books about Brazil from this period.

The Prime-Time library

Suggestions For Reading From The Prime Time

One of the greatest names of this period was Jorge Amado, who established himself as one of the most read Latin American novelists in English.

His writing focused on caricatural characters and melodramatic plots that reached national and international audiences. Some of his books became telenovelas and Brazilian movies, such as Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon.

Along with Jorge Amado, no other writer has achieved greater international popularity than Paulo Coelho. He's one of the most read writers globally, so he's become an editorial phenomenon, though his stories about universal mystical topics don’t depict Brazilian culture.

The work of Clarice Lispector was kept alive in these decades and other relevant authors were Patrícia Melo, Guimarães Rosa, Rubem Fonseca, Luis Fernando Veríssimo and Moacyr Scliar, who wrote about Judaism in Brazil.

Here are the best books on Brazil from this period that you might wish to read:

#7 The Hour of the Star, by Clarice Lispector

This book is about the daily life of the heroine Macabéa, a woman from the northeast of Brazil who is an orphan and struggles against poverty and inner conflicts.

She travels from the state of Alagoas to the capital Rio de Janeiro in search of a better life. It became an award-winning movie in 1985, which might have boosted Clarice’s work outside of Brazil even more.

#8 The Devil to pay in the backlands, by João Guimarães Rosa

This Brazilian novel describes the backcountry in Minas Gerais and Bahia, a place named Sertão, in a deep subjective way.

The main character is Riobaldo, a kind of mercenary or bandit known in Brazil as jagunço, who tells his long story to an anonymous listener from the city.

In 1985, this novel was adapted for Brazilian TV. Another translation is coming out in 2025.

#9 Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamom, by Jorge Amado

Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon became a best-seller outside Brazil. The story takes place in Ilhéus, Bahia, a Brazilian small town, in the 1930s.

When the migrant worker Nacib Saad hires Gabriela to work for his business, she turns out to be a wonderful cook and a blessing.

But what would happen if Nacib wanted to marry her?

#10 Captains of the Sands, by Jorge Amado

This book has been translated into 48 different languages. It talks about the tough life of a group of orphans in the streets of Salvador in the 1930s.

They call themselves “Captains of the Sands”. The fate of these children becomes a drama of love and freedom.

#11 The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho

This work stands out because it figures in the Guiness Book of Records as one of the most translated books worldwide with more than 1000 translations.

It's written by a Brazilian, but it isn’t about Brazil. It narrates the trip of a Spanish shepherd to Egypt looking for a lost treasure while it brings up self-help topics. 

#12 Urban Voices: Contemporary Short Stories from Brazil, by Cristina Ferreira-Pinto

This book brings together some of the best contemporary Brazilian writers about Brazilian life.

The stories include a microcosm of life in Brazil, and foreign influences that shape Brazilian society.

It expresses the urban city voices of Brazilian people.

The Contemporaries (After The 2000s)

Nowadays, literature keeps describing the image of a country where the favela is the main symbol, but today’s books focus less on the exotic features.

A new generation of authors is now available, along with mainstream names such as Clarice Lispector.

Her literary works were retranslated in the new millennium, reinforcing that she is indeed one of the most long-established translated writers in Brazil’s literature. 

The Contemporaries Library

Suggestions For Reading By The Contemporaries

Below are a couple of contemporary books about Brazil that will give you an insight into modern Brazil.

#13 City of God, Paulo Lins

This book brought into life the acclaimed movie of the same name which was nominated for the Oscars.

The story takes place in Cidade de Deus, one of the most dangerous shantytowns in Brazil, where the streets are full of drugs, violence, love and samba.

The main character named Buscapé wants to escape from this background and become a photographer. 

#14 Inferno, by Patricia Melo

Listed by Times Magazine as one of the five best Latin American writers in the new millennium, Patrícia was awarded the Jabuti Prize for this novel, where she writes about traffic underworld and social exclusion. 

Brazilian Poetry

The translation of poetry works has been modest comparing to novels and short stories. Here are a few suggestions for poetry fans who want to know more about Brazil.

#15 Travelling in the Family by Carlos Drummond de Andrade

If you're interested in poems, a renowned author who's often translated is Carlos Drummond de Andrade.

A selection of his poems was published in this book which explores how memories, family and past build our identity. 

#16 Anthology of Twentieth-Century Brazilian Poetry

This is a book that gathers the work of dozens of Brazilian poets.

It's considered by Modern Language Journal as “notable for the original and interesting choice of poems and for the accuracy and poetic quality of the translations”. 

#17 Seven Faces: Brazilian Poetry Since Modernism by Charles Perrone

I recommend this book for readers interested in the influence of poetry on culture and society.

#18 Poets of Brazil: a bilingual selection, by Frederick G. Williams

This is an anthology that covers the 500 years of Brazilian history, from the colonisation up to the present day.

#19 Silence River by Antonio Moura

In the 21^st century, “Silence River”, considered a very Brazilian book, is a selection of Antonio Moura’s poetry.

In his work, there is a tension between spirituality and reality, as well as present and past.

You can find other great poetry works by Ledo Ivo, Manuel Bandeira, João Cabral de Melo Neto, Mário Bandeira and Cecília Meireles.

Non-Fiction Books About Brazil

Do you prefer reading non-fiction? Here's a selection of non fiction books about Brazil to help you get to know this fascinating continent-sized country better.

#20 Child of the Dark: The diary of Carolina Maria de Jesus, by Carolina Maria de Jesus

This book is a personal diary of the author, who recorded her daily life in a shantytown, known as a favela in Brazil.

Already in its third edition, it has been translated into several languages and has been sold in dozens of countries.

#21 Tropical Truth: A Story of Music and Revolution in Brazil, by Caetano Veloso

This is kind of an autobiography of one of the most famous singers and composers in Brazil.

In this book, Caetano Veloso writes about his background in music and how his work has developed over the years, from childhood, through adolescence, the first marriage, his time in prison and his exile in London.

#22 Brazil: A Biography by Lilia M. Schwarcz and Heloisa M. Starling

A sweeping history of Brazil, from its colonial days to modern times, written by two of the country's most renowned historians.

This is an excellent starting point for understanding the nation's complex identity.

#23 The Brazilians by Joseph A. Page

A thorough exploration of Brazilian society, culture, and history, offering valuable insights into the Brazilian way of life.

#24 Futebol: The Brazilian Way of Life by Alex Bellos

An engaging dive into the cultural significance of football (soccer) in Brazil, exploring how the sport intertwines with the nation’s identity.

#25 The Amazon: What Everyone Needs to Know by Mark J. Plotkin

A concise and accessible guide to understanding the ecological and cultural importance of the Amazon rainforest.

Award-Winning Books About Brazil

In Brazil, there is an important literary prize called Prêmio Jabuti that celebrates works in many categories, such as “Brazilian book published abroad”. Here are some titles that have won this prize recently:

#26 A Cup of Rage by Raduan Nassar

The version of this book in English was awarded the Jabuti Prize. It is about a love affair full of conflicts.

The plot revolves around an intense relationship where the couple have a kind of power game. Acclaimed by the critics, this book was adapted for the cinema.

#27 The End by Fernanda Torres

This acclaimed novel is the first written by the renowned actress Fernanda Torres.

Considered deadly-funny, the plot narrates the lives of five male friends in Rio de Janeiro, where they reflect on their glory days in their youth as time goes by.

#28 Crooked Plow: A Novel by Itamar Vieira Junior

This is a bestseller with almost 1 million copies sold in Brazil and it's been translated into nine languages in recent years.

The book was also shortlisted for The International Booker Prize 2024 and longlisted for the Dublin Literary Award

The story takes place in Brazil's hinterland of Bahia, where two sisters’ lives are deeply connected by an accident in childhood.

Considered a contemporary masterpiece, this plot is for readers interested in themes of family, spirituality, slavery, and political struggle.

Books About Brazil FAQ

Best Books About Brazil

So there you have it – 28 must-read books about Brazil to add to your reading list.

From non-fiction books about Brazil to novels set in Brazil, you're sure to find a book that gives you new insights into this incredible country.

By the way, if you're looking for Portuguese books to learn the language, check out my list of the 9 best books in Portuguese for learners.

And if you'd like to learn Portuguese by reading, my course, Portuguese Uncovered, which teaches you through StoryLearning will help. Get your free 7-day trial.

Olly Richards

Creator of the StoryLearning® Method

Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.

Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.

When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.