It is surprising, at least to me being brazilian, that I did not read any of Machado's work until now. I remember having lectures about his books in school, the required reads for universities that I never got around to reading, I remember trying to read Esaú e Jacó and giving up. Machado required of me a level of maturity that 17 years old me simply did not have. Forward many years and here we are. Brás Cubas was right, seasons of life are editions that correct the one before. And I get it now.