The Relic

Teodorico Raposo, the novel’s anti-hero, is a master of deceit; one-minute feigning devotion in front of his rich, pious aunt, in order to inherit her money, the next indulging in debauchery. Spurred on by the desire to please his aunt, and in order to get away from his unfaithful mistress, he embarks on a journey to the Holy Land in search of a holy relic. The resulting fiasco is a masterpiece of comic irony as religious bigotry and personal greed are mercilessly ridiculed. AUTHOR: Jose Maria de Eca de Queiroz (1845-1900) is generally considered to be Portugal’s greatest ever novelist. After studying law at Coimbra University he had a career as a diplomat, including 14 years spent in England as a consul, Bristol (1874-79) and Newcastle(1879-1888).He then went to Paris where he remained until his death in 1900. He began writing stories and essays as a young man and became involved with a group of intellectuals known as the Generation of ‘70, who were committed to reforms in society and the arts. The ten titles translated by Margaret Jull Costa and published by Dedalus are: The Mandarin, The Relic, The Tragedy of the Street of Flowers, The Crime of Father Amaro, Cousin Bazilio, The Maias, The City and the Mountains, Alves & Co, The Mystery of Sintra Road and The Illustrious House of Ramires.