Complete Works of Eça de Queiroz II (The Capital)

Artur Corvelo is a young man of great aspirations: nourished by the bohemian and literary life he experienced during his time in Coimbra, he now yearns to become a great poet. To his misfortune, his father's sudden death forces him to return to Oliveira de Azeméis, a tiresome town where his only family, his aunts Sabininha and Ricardina, reside. Unless... a godfather with whom he rarely interacted bequeaths him a substantial sum of money. Thus, Artur finds himself on his way to Lisbon, that beautiful city where all dreams come true. Or so he thinks. But troubles never come alone, especially when one is a young man lost among the rabble of paupers, swindlers, cowards, debauchees, imbeciles, and drunkards of the magnificent Capital.