Fogo morto

Abstract

DEAD FOO was José Lins do Rego’s tenth novel. It appeared in October 1943. The author was only 42 years old. Critics immediately considered it a masterpiece. “And what a masterpiece, Dead Fire, wow,” wrote Mário de Andrade. Critics unanimously considered Dead Fire to be José Lins do Rego’s masterpiece, his most intense book, a synthesis of his work as a fiction writer. Zé Lins’ greatest novel, it revolves around three exciting characters, who are the three strongest characters in his fictional creation. Master José Amaro, the craftsman, Major Luís César de Holanda Chacon, the owner of a decadent sugar mill, and Captain Vitorino Carneiro da Cunha, who is, without a doubt, the greatest character in the book and in all of Lins do Rego’s novels. Critics were enthusiastic about Dead Fire. In addition to Mário de Andrade, Antônio Cândido, Gilberto Freyre, Tristão de Athayde, Afonso Arinos, Wilson Martins, José Aderaldo Castello, Sérgio Milliet, Álvaro Lins, and Edilberto Coutinho, they were all impressed by the strength and impetus of this novel of full maturity. Three overlapping novels, with the poignant story of three tragic characters. It is a novel imbued with sadness. And the great pathetic presence in the book is this backwoods Quixote, Vitorino Carneiro da Cunha, Papa-Rabo, a powerful, unforgettable figure.