Portugal is a country with an incredibly rich literary culture, and many of its books are known around the world. Here are four of the most famous Portuguese books which exemplify the uniqueness of this nation’s literature:
The Lusiads by Luís Vaz de Camões is considered one of the greatest works of Portuguese literature. Written in 1572, it tells the epic story of the voyage of Vasco da Gama to India. This poem was praised by many, including Nobel Prize winning poet Miguel de Unamuno. It continues to be studied today, offering insights on Portugal’s history and culture.
The Book of Disquiet by Fernando Pessoa is another classic example of Portuguese literature. The book contains a collection of fragmented musings on life written between 1910 and 1935. These pieces were left unfinished at Pessoa’s death but were later collected and published as a book in 1982. Since then, it has become one of Portugal’s most beloved titles and has been translated into numerous languages.
Blindness by José Saramago is a dystopian novel published in 1995 about an epidemic that causes blindness in its victims. The novel explores themes such as individualism versus communalism and features complex characters who must grapple with their sudden loss of sight and newfound solidarity with one another. Blindness has won numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998, making it one of Portugal’s most acclaimed novels to date.
The Maias by Eça de Queirós is an influential work from 1867 that follows Carlos da Maia as he attempts to piece together his family’s complicated past. As Carlos gradually uncovers secrets about his ancestors, he discovers truths about himself as well—making this novel a timeless work that questions how our histories shape us all. To this day, The Maias remains one of Portugal’s most highly regarded books both inside and outside its borders.
These classic titles stand alone as some of the most important works not just in Portuguese literature but also international literature as a whole. They offer readers insight into Portuguese culture while furthering our understanding—and appreciation—of universal themes like identity, suffering, love, mortality, society, and more.
