Picture Lisbon in the sweltering summer of 1882. The newspapers are full of official pronouncements, but on the street, people are grumbling about taxes, fashion, and the latest political scandal. 'As Farpas' captures that grumble and turns it into art. It's not a novel with a single plot, but a series of monthly dispatches that stitch together the living, breathing reality of a nation in flux. The anonymous writer acts as our tour guide, pointing out the hypocrisies of the powerful, mocking bad poetry, and sighing at the latest ridiculous trend.

The Story

There's no traditional story here, but there is a powerful narrative thread: the story of a society being held up to a mirror. Each 'chronicle' is a snapshot. One month might dissect a pompous speech from a government minister, line by line, revealing the empty promises beneath. Another might lampoon the pretentiousness of a new literary school, or poke fun at the upper class's obsession with French manners. It's a collage of politics, books, and daily life, held together by a voice that is sarcastic, deeply patriotic, and profoundly human.

Why You Should Read It

I picked this up expecting a historical artifact and found a kindred spirit. The shock isn't that things were different back then, but how familiar the frustrations are. The writer's eye for absurdity is timeless. You'll find yourself nodding along as they complain about leaders who are all talk, or cultural elites who are out of touch. It removes the dust from history and shows us the people—annoyed, hopeful, and endlessly opinionated. It’s a masterclass in satire that feels less like a lesson and more like a conversation with a very clever, slightly cranky friend.

Final Verdict

This is perfect for anyone who loves history but hates feeling like they're reading a textbook. If you enjoy political satire like you'd find in a modern magazine, or if you're fascinated by social history and the day-to-day lives of people in the past, you'll be glued to this. It's a niche pick, but a deeply rewarding one. You won't get a neat plot, but you'll get something better: a vivid, unforgettable voice from the past, reminding us that the more things change, the more the commentary stays brilliantly the same.