O Alienista by Machado de Assis
O Alienista follows a famous psychiatrist obsessed with discovering the universal panacea to cure every kind of mental malady. In his missionary zeal, he consigns not just the...
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O Alienista follows a famous psychiatrist obsessed with discovering
the universal panacea to cure every kind of mental malady. In his
missionary zeal, he consigns not just the mentally dysfunctional
but also perfectly healthy and well adjusted ones to his newly
opened asylum, since he believes that prevention is better than a
cure. A revolt breaks out among the villagers. The good doctor now
believes that “normalcy” is a malady and needs to be cured which
takes the story on a bizarre turn. O Alienista is a satire written
by the Brazilian writer Machado de Assis. It first appeared in a
Rio de Janiero newspaper in 1881-82 in serial form and was
translated into English in 1963. It caught the public imagination
with its brilliant film adaptation The Alienist which was presented
on screen in 1973. It has also appeared in several anthologies of
short stories by writers from all over the world. O Alienista marks
the debut of realism in novel-writing in Brazil. It also explores
ideas of humanism, psychological analysis, mental health, the
concept of judging what is “normal,” human attitudes and behavior.
As an important vehicle of social criticism, the novel uses satire
to effectively bring several important home-truths to the attention
of the reading public. Though it is too long to be called a short
story and too short to be termed a complete novel, O Alienista can
rightly be called a novella. The story opens with Dr Simon
Bacamarte returning to his home in Itaguai. He is all fired up with
the idea of devoting himself to discovering scientific and absolute
cures for mental illnesses. He sets up his own treatment center
called Casa Verde and in time, as he treats more and more patients,
he begins to doubt his own theories about mental illness. His own
wife seems a doubtful case as she dithers between different outfits
to wear for a party, the overly religious Matim Brito, the vain
Taylor Matheus and the gentle and submissive Gil Bernadus and many
others also seem to be prime candidates who need “curing.” But Dr
Simon's crusading enterprise soon falls afoul of the local
sentiments and rebellion ensues. Does he emerge unscathed from the
uprising? What happens to his pioneering efforts at the Casa Verde?
These are questions that will be amusingly answered in the pages of
this delightful book. Readers who have loved satirical looks at
contemporary social evils, oppression and suppression of opinion,
everyday prejudices and prevailing myths about disease and health
are sure to be absolutely entertained with O Alienista!
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