Correspondence – Literarische Agentur https://mertinwitt-litag.de MertinWitt Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:33:07 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 Graciliano Ramos https://mertinwitt-litag.de/portfolio-items/graciliano-ramos/ Wed, 28 Oct 2020 16:22:18 +0000 https://mertinwitt-litag.de/?post_type=avada_portfolio&p=15134

Vidas secasGraciliano Ramos

(1892 – 1953)
Brazil

Graciliano Ramos was born in Brazil in 1892. He started to work as a journalist for various magazines and newspapers in 1904, assuming different pseudonyms. In 1933 he published his first novel, CAETÉS. The author received several prizes, including the Brazilian National Prize for Children’s Literature for A TERRA DOS MENINOS PELADOS (“The Earth of the Naked Boys”) and the Felipe de Oliveira Prize for his complete works. His most important novel, VIDAS SECAS (“Barren Lives”), was awarded the prize of the William Faulkner Foundation and made into a movie, which received two awards of its own. In his novel MEMÓRIAS DO CÁRCERE (“Memories of Prison”), which was published posthumously, he describes his years in prison under Vargas’ dictatorship. Graciliano Ramos is considered a classic among Brazilian contemporary authors.

Graciliano Ramos© Graciliano Ramos

//

Vidas secas

In Vidas secas (“Barren Lives“), a classic in Brazilian literature, Graciliano Ramos describes the life of a peasant family from the northeast of Brazil moving from place to place in order to escape a drought, enduring hardships while still dreaming of a better life. Written in austere but captivating prose, the reader is immediately drawn into this cyclical story, envisaging the torrid landscape under a merciless sun and feeling with these outstanding characters whom life has treated so badly.

//

Angústia

Angústia (“Anguish”) tells the story of Luis da Silva. Plagued by a sense of inferiority and obsessive destructive fantasies and after an agonizing inner journey, he commits a murder. After an emotional breakdown, Luis da Silva starts evoking different stages of his life, his unhappy childhood on his father’s deteriorated estate, episodes of near starvation, the depressing routine of an unknown journalist. Mingling the past with the present, which is hardly more positive, forever on the lookout for odd jobs, Luis’ mind grows more and more disturbed.

When he meets his neighbour, the beautiful Marina, Luis immediately falls in love with her. He starts dreaming of a better future that might bring some kind of sense into his life, but, impoverished as he is, he cannot offer Marina what she is looking for – money and luxury. Marina turns to the wealthy Julião, and Luis, already depressed, starts to give free reins to his ever-increasing jealousy and hatred. Envious of Julião’s money, his desire for revenge and destruction increases. When Marina falls pregnant, Luis is finally driven over the edge and kills Julião.

In this masterpiece, Graciliano Ramos once again enchants the reader with his precise and dry prose, which only emphasises the starkness of his characters and their surroundings. With great expressive force, he gives testimony to the socially and psychologically refined relationships of his protagonists and their inner developments, which are characteristic of all his novels.

Quotes

Barren Lives // In Vidas secas // Caetés

RIGHTS

ORIGINAL EDITIONS AND RIGHTS SOLD (SELECTION)

NOVELS
Caetés
Brazil: 1933, Rio de Janeiro: Record 2003, 304 p.
Portugal: Portugália Editora 1965, Europa-América 1984, Caminho 1990, 195 p.

São Bernardo
Brazil: 1934, Rio de Janeiro: Record 2002 (last edition: 2009), 272 p.
Finland: Porvoo 1992, Söderström 1961 · France: Gallimard 1936, 1986, 2015 · Germany: Fischer 1961, Hanser 1960 (rights available) · Hungary: Europa 1962 · Italy: Bollatti Boringhieri 1993 · Netherlands: Copperns & Frenks, 1996 · Peru: Colmena · Polen: Wydaw 1985 · Portugal: Publicações Europa-América 1983, Caminhos 1991 · UK: Peter Owen 1975 · Uruguay: Banda Oriental 2007 · US: New York Review of Books 2020 · Venezuela: Monte Avila Editores 1980

Angústia
Brazil: 1936, Rio de Janeiro: Record 2003, 240 p., São Paulo: Todavia (forthcoming 2024)
France: Gallimard 1992 · Germany: Suhrkamp 1978, 1994 (rights available) · Italy: Fratelli Bocca 1954 · Mexico: Páramo 2008 · Netherlands: Copperns & Frenks, 1995 · Portugal: Portugália Editora 1962, Europa-América 1984, Caminho 1991 · Spain: Alfaguara 1978 · Uruguay: Independencia 1944, Banda Oriental 2013 · US: A.A. Knopf 1946, Greenwood Press 1972

Vidas secas
Brazil: 1938, Rio de Janeiro: Record 2003, 176 p.
Argentina: Editora Capricornio 1958, Corregidor 2001 · Belgium: Novib’s-Gravenhage/NCOS 1981 · Bulgaria: Cyx Knbot 1969 · Cuba: Casa de las Américas 1964 · Czech Republic: Statni Nakladatelstvi, Krásné Literatury 1959, Jubdy a Umêni · Denmark: Tørke 1986 · France: Gallimard 1964, Chandeigne 2014 · Germany: Horst Erdmann 1965, Suhrkamp 1981 (rights available), Wagenbach 2013 · Greece: Electra · Hungary: Europa Könyvriadó 1967 · Italy: Nuova Accademia 1961 (“Terra Bruciata”), Nuova Accademia 1963 (“Siccittà”), Biblioteca del Vascello, 1993 (“Vite Secche”) · Netherlands: Het Wereldvenster 1981, Copperns & Frenks 1998 · Portugal: Portugália Editora 1965, Europa-América 1983, Caminho 1991 · Spain: Espasa-Calpe 1974, S.A. Bruguera · Sweden: Pontes 1993 · Turkey: Can Yayinlari 1985 · Uruguay: Nuestra América 1970; Banda Oriental 2004 · US: University of Texas Press 1965, 5th edition 1999

Brandão entre o Mar e Amor, 1942

Infância, 1945
Rio de Janeiro: Record 2003, 272 p.
Argentina: Siglo Veinte 1948, Beatriz Viterbo 2010 · France: Gallimard 1956 · Germany: Wagenbach 2013 · The Netherlands: Arbeiderspers · Portugal: Europa-América 1984, Caminho 1992 · Turkey: Vakif Pazarlama San · UK: P. Owen 1979 · Uruguay: Banda Oriental 2013

Insônia, 1947
Rio de Janeiro: Record 2003, 192 p.
France: Gallimard 1998 · Greece: Electra (year of publication unknown) · Italy: Fahrenheit 451 2008 · Portugal: Publicações Europa-América 1962, Caminho 1994

Memórias do Cárcere, 1953
Rio de Janeiro: Record 2003, 728 p.
France: Gallimard 1988 · Peru: Colmena · Portugal: Portugália Editora 1970, Europa-América 1983, Caminho 1993

Viagem, 1954
Rio de Janeiro: Record 2003, 256 p.

Linhas Tortas, 1962
Rio de Janeiro: Record 2003, 448 p.

Viventes das Alagoas, 1962
Rio de Janeiro: Record 2003, 272 p.

Alexandre e outros heróis, 1962
(Ed. Leitura “Histórias de Alexandre”)
Rio de Janeiro: Record 2003, 206 p.
Uruguay: Banda Oriental 2010

STORIES
Histórias incompletas
Porto Alegre: Livraria do Globo 1946, 145 p.

LETTERS
Cartas de amor a Heloísa, 1992
Rio de Janeiro: Record 1994 (last edition 1996), 91 p.

Cartas, 1980
Rio de Janeiro: Record 1994, Salvador: EDUFBA 2008, 208 p.

FOR YOUNG READERS
O estribo de Prata (a story from “Histórias de Alexandre”), 1984
Rio de Janeiro: Record 2002, 36 p.

A terra dos meninos pelados, 1937
Rio de Janeiro: Record 2002, 88 p.
German: Nagel & Kimche 1996 (rights available)

CHILDREN´S BOOKS
Poetry:
Os Filhos da Coruja
Brazil: 1923, São Paulo: Todavia (forthcoming 2024)

]]> João Guimarães Rosa https://mertinwitt-litag.de/portfolio-items/joao-guimaraes-rosa/ Wed, 28 Oct 2020 17:26:21 +0000 https://mertinwitt-litag.de/?post_type=avada_portfolio&p=15146

Grande sertãoJoão Guimarães Rosa

(1908-1967)
Brazil

João Guimarães Rosa, born in 1908 in Cordisburgo, Brazil, was a novelist and short-story writer whose innovative prose style, drawn from Brazil’s hinterlands’ oral tradition, revitalized Brazilian fiction in the mid-20th century. His portrayal of the conflicts of the Brazilian backlanders in Minas Gerais reflects the challenges of an isolated rural society adapting to a modern urban world.

Initially studying medicine in Belo Horizonte, Guimarães Rosa later pursued a diplomatic career, attaining ambassadorial rank in 1963. SAGARANA (1946), a collection of short stories, marked his literary breakthrough. Despite diplomatic duties, he published CORPO DE BAILE (1956), a collection of novellas, and his monumental epic novel GRANDE SERTÃO: VEREDAS (1956), solidifying his international reputation. For instance, it was included in the Norwegian Bokklubben World Library list of the 100 best books of all time, compiled in 2002 by 100 writers from 54 countries. Transitioning to short stories, he released PRIMEIRAS ESTÓRIAS (1962) before his death in 1967, leaving a legacy as one of Brazil’s and the world’s greatest writers who ever lived.

//

Vastlands: The Crossing

Set in Brazil’s high plateaus, Vastlands: The Crossing (“Grande Sertão: Veredas”, abbreviated as GSV and formerly known as “The Devil to Pay in the Backlands”) stands as a monumental literary achievement, encompassing a mythical landscape untouched by the law, where jagunços—bands of outlaws—wandered in the early 20th century. GSV weaves an epic tale of honor, vengeance, and love, tracing Riobaldo’s journey from youth to a retired rancher. His bond with Diadorim, forged in battles and shared moments on the oasis-like veredas, forms the heart of the narrative, alongside Riobaldo’s struggle with his growing romantic feelings.

Through Rosa’s masterful narrative, readers are immersed in a world where language dances and enchants, reflecting the diverse dialects of the Brazilian backlands. GSV is widely regarded to be the greatest work of Brazilian literature, and one of the greats of Lusophone and Latin American literature. A 2002 poll of 100 writers from around the globe saw it included on the Norwegian Bokklubben World Library list of the 100 best books of all time. It is only now, sixty years later, that a radical new translation is available due to the efforts of award-winning translator Alison Entrekin, who has spent the last seven years carefully recreating Rosa’s wordplay. An excerpt of her translation won the 2022 AAWP (Australasian Association of Writing Programs) Translators’ Prize.

Quotes

Vastlands: The Crossing

//

Sagarana // Corpo de baile

Guimarães Rosa’s first collection of short stories, Sagarana, had an explosive effect upon the Brazilian literary scene. In this classic, the author evokes the unique universe of the Sertão in the style that was to become his trademark. Called the “James Joyce of the Portuguese language” because of innovations like the use of neologisms and an oral story-telling technique, Guimarães Rosa confounds places and landscapes, intermingling the real, the imaginary and the fantastical.

After the publication of Grande Sertão: Veredas, Guimarães Rosa returned to the genre of short fiction and published several collections of stories and novelettes, among others Corpo de baile (“Corps de Ballet”).

Guimarães Rosa received the most important literary awards of his country and has been translated into numerous languages.

RIGHTS

ORIGINAL EDITIONS
Guimarães Rosa’s work is being published by Companhia das Letras in São Paulo.
Please ask for detailed information on the rights sold abroad.


NOVEL
Vastlands: The Crossing (“Grande Sertão: Veredas”)
(In English formerly published as “The Devil to Pay in the Backlands“)
São Paulo: José Olímpico 1956; Companhia das Letras 2019, 560 p.; pb 2021
New English translation by Alison Entrekin available
Adapted as a graphic novel by Eloar Guazzelli, illustrated by Rodrigo Rosa, Quadrinhos (Companhia das Letras), 2021, third print run 2024,
184 p.
Film directed by Guel Arraes, World Premiere at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2023 (Critics’ Picks Award for Best Director), released in 2024
Feature film (“O Diabo na Rua no Meio do Redemunho”, director Bia Lessa) based on theatre play “Riobaldo”, 2023
Adapted as a theatre play (“Riobaldo”, director Amir Haddad), 2022
Included in the Norwegian Bokklubben World Library list of the 100 best books of all time, compiled in 2002 by 100 writers from 54 countries
Argentina: Adriana Hidalgo 2009 · Brazil: José Olímpico 1956; Nova Frontiera 1985, 1988, 2011, 2015; Companhia das Letras 2019, 2021 · Catalan: Edicions 62 1990 · Croatia: Znanje· Czech Republic: Odeon 1971; Dauphin 2003; MladaFronta 2003 · Denmark: Gyldendal 1997 · France: Albin Michel 1995, 2006; Livre de poche 2017 · Germany: Kiepenheuer & Witsch 1964, 1987, 1994; dtv 1992; S. Fischer forthcoming 2026· Israel: Sifriat Poalim 2016 · Italy: Feltrinelli 1970, 1976, 1980, 1985, 1999, 2007, 2011, 201714, Giangiacomo Feltrinelli forthcoming 2026 · Kuwait: Takween 2024 · Lebanon: Dar Al Rafidain 2024 · Norway: Gyldendal 2004; De norske bokklubbene 2006 · Poland: Państwowy Instytut Wydawniczy 1972 · Portugal: Companhia das Letras 2019 · Spain: Seix Barral 1967; Alianza 1999; Adriana Hidalgo 2009, pb 2011 · Sweden: Forum 1974 · The Netherlands: Meulenhoff 1993, 2000, 20074 · UK: Serpent´s Tail 2008, Bloomsbury forthcoming 2026 · USA: Knopf 1963, Simon & Schuster forthcoming 2026 · Venezuela: El perro y la rana 2008

STORIES AND SHORT PROSE

Corpo de baile (1956)
Includes: #1 Manuelzão e Miguilim, 32nd ed. 2001, 260 p.
Includes: Campo Geral; Uma Estória de Amor
Brazil: Global 2019 · France: Chandeigne · Italy: Feltrinelli 1994 · Spain: Alfaguara 1981

Standalone publications:
Campo Geral
Brazil: Global 2019 · Germany: Wagenbach 2013 · Portugal: Tinta da China 2024

Uma Estória de Amor
Italy: Feltrinelli 2007

#2 No Urubuquaquá, no Pinhém, 9th Nova Fronteira 2001, 314 p.
Includes: O recado do morro; Cara-de-bronze; A estória do Lélio e Lina
Brazil: Global 2021 · Spain: Seix Barral 1982

Standalone publications:
O recado do morro
Rio de Janeiro: Nova Fronteira 2007, 128 p.
Brazil: Global 2021

A estória do Lélio e Lina
Germany: Piper 1991

#3 Noites do sertão, 15th. 2000, 260 p.
Includes: Lão-dalalão; Buriti
Brazil: Global 2021 · France: Seuil 1959 · Spain: Seix Barral 1982 ·

Standalone publications:
Lão-dalalão
Czech Republic: Torst 2010 · Germany: Kiepenheuer & Witsch 1966; Suhrkamp 1982

 Buriti
Czech Republic: Torst 2008 · France: Seuil 1961 · Germany: dtv 1969 · Italy: Feltrinelli 1985

Campo Geral and Other Stories (“Campo Geral y Otros Relatos”)
Mexico: Fondo de Cultura Economica 2023, 112 p.
Includes: Campo Geral; O burrinho pedrês; A hora e a vez de Augusto Madraga; Dão-lalalão; Sorôco, sua mãe, sua filha; A terceira margem do rio; Nada e a nossa condição; O cavalo que bebia cerveja; Azo de almirante; Desenredo; Melim-Meloso; Sinhá Secada; Meu tio Iauaretê

Sagarana – A Cycle of Stories (“Sagarana”)
Includes (among others): O burrinho pedrês; Sarapalha; A hora e a vez de Augusto Matraga; San Marco
São Paulo: José Olímpico 1946, 340 p.; 1968, 1969, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1982
Brazil: Nova Fronteira 1984, 1993, 2001, 2006, 2008, 2015, 2016, 2017; Record 1984; Círculo do Livro 1987; Saraiva 2012; Global 2019 · France: Albin Michel 1998; Chandeigne 2016 · Germany: Kiepenheuer & Witsch 1982; Aufbau 1984 · Italy: Feltrinelli 1994 · USA: Knopf (PRH) 1966 · Spain: Adriana Hidalgo 2007 · Portugal: Livros do Brasil 1958

Standalone publications:
A Hora e a Vez de Augusto Matraga, 10th ed.
Rio de Janeiro: Nova Fronteira 1996, 2014 · São Paulo: Saravia 2011; Global 2019, 64 p.
The Netherlands: Meulenhoff 1992

O Burrinho Pedrês (1946), 1996, 104 p.

Primeiras Estórias 49th ed.
São Paulo: José Olímpico 1962; Três 1974; Global 2019 · Rio de Janeiro: Nova Fronteira 1985, 1988, 1989, 2005, 2007, 2012, 2016 200 p.
Adapted as a feature film (“Outras histórias”, dir. Pedro Bial), 1999
Canada: Orbis Tertius Press 2020 · France: Métailié 1991 · Italy: Mondadori 2003 · Portugal: Tinta da China 2022 · Sweden: Tranan 2018 · Spain: Seix Barral 1969 · The Netherlands: Meulenhoff 1977, 1984, 1993 · USA: Knopf 1973

Estas estórias (1969), 5th ed. 2001, 284 p.
Includes:
The Jaguar (“O meu tio Iauaretê”)
France: Albin Michel 1998; Editions 10/18 2000; Chandeigne 2016 · Germany: Kiepenheuer & Witsch 1981, 1994 · Italy: Guanda 1999 · UK: Boulevard Books 2001

Tutaméia (Terceiras Estórias) 8th ed.
São Paulo: José Olímpico 1967; Global 2021, 256 p. · Rio de Janeiro: Nova Fronteira 2001, 2013, 2017
Argentina: Calicanto 1979 · France: Seuil 1997 · Italy: Del Vecchio 2015

Ave, palavra (1970), 5th ed. 2001, 384 p.
(contos & crônicas)

POETRY
Magma (1936), 1st ed. 1997, 148 p.

FOR CHILDREN
Fita verde no cabelo, 5th ed.
São Paulo: Global 2022, 40 9. · USA: Wayne State University Press (non-exclusive)

O Burrinho pedrês (1946), 1996, 104 p.
São Paulo: Global 2021, 80 p.
France: Chandeigne 2016

CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE AUTHOR’S TRANSLATORS
Correspôndencia Com Seu Tradutor Italiano Edoardo Bizarri
Rio de Janeiro: Nova Fronteira 2003, 208 p.

Correspôndencia Com Seu Tradutor Alemão Curt Meyer-Clason
Rio de Janeiro: Nova Fronteira 2003, 447 p.

ANTHOLOGIES
First Stories by Ten Latin American Masters (“Primeros cuentos de diez maestros latinoamericanos”)
Ángel Rama (ed.), contains: “San Marco”, first published by Planeta Barcelona 1975, Grupo Planeta Uruguay 2026

]]>