Os Bravos do Mindello / Romance Historico

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21290

Title

Os Bravos do Mindello / Romance Historico

Language

pt

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in 19th-century Angra do Heroísmo, this historical romance follows João, a young soldier torn between his revolutionary ideals and his forbidden love for Maria, a wealthy heiress. Amidst the turmoil of the Portuguese Civil War and Miguelist repression, the narrative explores themes of political upheaval, social class barriers, and the enduring power of love against tyranny.

Summary up to 500 words

Faustino da Fonseca's historical romance *Os Bravos do Mindello* unfolds against the turbulent backdrop of the Portuguese Civil War, specifically the conflict between the absolutist Miguelists and the constitutional liberals. The narrative centers on João, a young liberal soldier stationed at the castle of Folhadaes, who awaits news of a ship from Lisbon that might bring his beloved, Maria, to freedom. Their relationship is fraught with obstacles: Maria's father, the landowner Martinho Vasques, opposes their union due to political differences and class status, while Maria is confined to a convent to protect her from persecution. Her aunt, D. Anna, a former nun who suffered a tragic love of her own, encourages Maria to prioritize her passion over a life of religious submission. The story vividly portrays the harsh realities of the war, including the brutal tactics of Miguelist forces, the burning of convents, and the imprisonment of liberals. As the political landscape shifts and the liberal forces advance, the tension between personal desire and political duty reaches its climax. When the Miguelists are defeated and the constitutional victory is celebrated, the defeated morgado attempts to reclaim his daughter. However, the old order is crumbling. João arrives at the convent not as a soldier of war, but as a man seeking reconciliation and love. Despite the morgado's initial refusal to forgive the liberals, the triumph of the liberal cause and the shared trauma of the conflict allow for a moment of human connection. The novel concludes with the triumph of love and the new political order, leaving the protagonists to face their future together, having survived the devastation of civil strife. Through this narrative, Fonseca explores themes of loyalty, the destructive nature of fanaticism, and the enduring power of human connection amidst political upheaval.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Fiction