Reviews

A Mão e a Luva by Machado de Assis

jhlopesalves's review against another edition

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3.0

Tratando-se de Machado, eu adoraria dar uma nota maior, mas que enredosinho mais enfadonho, hein? 3 Estrelas pela escrita belíssima; mas se não fosse por isso, 1 estrela.

fevi's review against another edition

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lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

3.5

Outra leitura que eu curti fazer. Apesar disso me entretive mais com a história de Ressureição. Machadão consegue entregar dramas amorosos de qualidade. 

gabilaras's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

claradso's review against another edition

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funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

maridjarin's review against another edition

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lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

leticiatoraci's review against another edition

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4.0

This had a very interesting and original, multi-layered main character for a romance.

SpoilerGuiomar has been through a rough patch in her childhood and, like Scarlett O'Hara, (or rather not like her, because she didn't turn poor due to war but was rather already born in poverty) Our Main Character, even after being adopted by her rich Godmother, and even then being financially supported, also like O'Hara vows never to be poor again. (Guiomar doesn't raise her fists to the sky after eating a shrunken vegetable she desperately dug of the soil, but you can feel that resolute vow in every decision she makes nevertheless.)
Guiomar, though now supported, never forgets where she has come from. If that was the case to happen she has not her aunt, but Mrs Oswald to remind her she is living on her aunt's charity and to try to manipulate her with that. Mrs Oswald seemed to me as a bit of an under developed character since I wasn't clear on why she wanted to manipulate Guiomar, but perhaps I only had this impression because I was reading this section rather too fast.

In the beginning of the story Guiomar tries to work herself, but this doesn't come to fruition because her Godmother steps in to 'rescue' her.
Afterwards, she turns down a marriage with Estêvão, who's a romantic dreamer too aloof to notice Guiomar's born-out-of-need ambition. She also makes a delicate avoiding dance around Jorge's insistent proposals and not only his but also Mrs Oswald manipulation, since she sees her aunt's nephew for whom he is, a spoiled dandy only waiting to inherit her Godmother's money and expecting to add Guiomar's share of it through marriage. Meanwhile Guiomar takes her destiny into her own hands and pulls strings towards marrying the most ambitious an down to Earth of her suitors, Luiz Alves. You go wise girl! She is a fascinating character, really independent and smart.


The prose of this original romance doesn't has the precision and tightness of later Assis works, but this early work still carries the special flair a story by him has.

It is a book to read without hurry and a certain patience is needed with the classic way of writing, late 1800's language and slow pacing.

Even tough, this is Machado de Assis we are talking about, and everything by him deserves to be read, being reflected upon and discussed.

bpthis's review against another edition

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challenging slow-paced

4.0

mrkdk's review against another edition

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reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

akajujorge's review against another edition

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3.0

This isn’t the best book of Machado de Assis, far away from it, in fact. But his writing is always great and rich, so it’s worthy!

The story is part of the romantic phase of Machado de Assis, a very short novel about love vs. ambition, and convenience. This is another picture of society of the author times, something that Machado de Assis is very good and punctual at doing.

One more time, we have here a strong female protagonist represented by the ambitious Guiomar, and this is very interesting to see, specially because it was wrote by a male author, in the XIX century.

bpenafort's review against another edition

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4.0

"guiomar passou da poltrona à janela, que abriu toda, para contemplar a noite - o luar que batia nas águas, o céu sereno e eterno. eterno, sim, eterno, leitora minha, que é a mais desconsolada lição que nos poderia dar Deus, no meio das nossas agitações, lutas, ânsias, paixões insaciáveis, dores de um dia, gozos de um instante, que se acabam e passam conosco, debaixo daquela azul eternidade, impassível e muda como a morte."

ler algo do Machado é como voltar para casa depois de uma longa viagem.