a potion to suppress hedonistic
aspects of his personality, only to
create Hyde, seemingly an evil
manifestation of the darkest
attributes of his character.THE MAIAS
(1888), EÇA DE QUEIRÓSRegarded as the masterwork of one
of the greatest European realist
novelists, Eça de Queirós, The Maias
is set in fin-de-siecle Lisbon. Notable
for its satire and realism, its central
character, Carlos Maia, is a wealthy
and talented doctor eager to do good
work, but lives a dissolute life. Maia
embarks on an affair with a
mysterious woman, but a shocking
discovery ends the relationship.HUNGER
(1890), KNUT HAMSUNNorwegian writer Knut Hamsun
(1859–1952) was 30 when his first
successful novel, Hunger, was
published. He had previously spent
many impoverished years traveling
and working in various jobs, and his
novel reflects those experiences. Set
in Kristiania (Oslo), it describes the
poverty and psychological despair
of a young man so bent on success
as a writer that he becomes almost
demented. The novel’s portrayal of
obsession and alienation established
it as a literary landmark.THE JUNGLE BOOK
(1894–1895), RUDYARD KIPLINGA collection of stories, linked by
poems, The Jungle Book by English
writer Kipling (1865–1936) is most
famous for its tales of Mowgli, an
Indian boy raised by wolves and
taught the laws of the jungle by
Baloo, the brown bear; Bagheera,
the panther; and the wolves of the
pack. Kipling, who lived in India
for many years, used the animals
in the tales—which are effectively
fables—to present moral lessons
about good behavior by contrasting
irresponsible humans with animals
that follow a strict jungle code.EFFI BRIEST
(1894–1895), THEODORE FONTANEConsidered to be a landmark of
Prussian realism, Effi Briest by
German writer Fontane (1819–98)
tells the story of its 17-year-old
protagonist, who is married to
Geert von Innstetten, an ambitious
nobleman twice her age. Effi has asecret affair with a local womanizer.
Six years later, the affair—long-since
ended—comes to light and, with
the characters bound by a strict
Prussian social code so well
depicted by Fontane, the story
moves toward its tragic end.JUDE THE OBSCURE
(1895), THOMAS HARDYIn his fatalistic Jude the Obscure,
English writer Hardy (see p.193)
tells the story of Jude Fawley, a
villager with scholarly ambitions
that are never achieved. Married
reluctantly and under false pretence,
Jude falls in love with his cousin,
Sue Bridehead, who then marries a
local schoolmaster. Repelled by sex
within her marriage, Sue turns to
Jude. They live together but poverty
and society’s disapproval take a
dreadful toll. Critics and readers
were so shocked by the novel’s
sexual frankness and pessimism
that Hardy wrote no further novels,
turning from fiction to poetry.THE RED BADGE
OF COURAGE
(1895), STEPHEN CRANEOne of the great war novels and
noted for its realism, terse style,
and modern approach, The Red
Badge of Courage by American
author Crane (1871–1900) is set
during the American Civil War
(1861–65). The protagonist is Henry
Fleming, a young private in the
Union Army. He dreams of glory
but, when faced with the stark and
terrifying reality of fighting on the
battlefield, flees from the advancing
Confederate forces. Overwhelmed
by his shame, he seeks redemption
and meaning in a heroic act.202 FURTHER READING
Eça de Queirós
Considered Portugal’s greatest
novelist, Eça de Queirós was
also a political activist. Born
in northern Portugal in 1845,
he studied law but his real
interest was literature, and his
short stories and essays soon
began appearing in the press.
By 1871 he was part of the
“Generation of 70,” a group of
rebellious intellectuals who
were committed to social and
artistic reform; he denounced
Portuguese literature as
unoriginal. He served as consul
in Cuba, England—where he
wrote the satirical novels for
which he is best known—and
Paris, where he died in 1900.Key works1876 The Crime of Father
Amaro
1878 Cousin Bazilio
1888 The Maias (see above)US_198-203_FR_CH4.indd 202 08/10/2015 13:07