Memoirs of a Police Sergeant
Memoirs of a Police Sergeant is a satirical novel written by the Brazilian author Manuel Antônio de Almeida. It was first published in 1852.
The book is full of picturesque descriptions of Rio de Janeiro's life in the early 19th century, including popular feasts and holidays. The book is considered to be an outstanding work in the Brazilian Literature, because of its almost grotesque humor against some Brazilian institutions, like the Army, the Church and is considered, besides a literary masterpiece, an important source of Brazilian history.
Plot
The novel is set at around 1808 and it tells the colourful story of a problem child, from when his parents first meet, until his childhood, in a hypocritical and corrupt society. Leonardo grows up into an amoral, reckless young man until he is arrested by the police and given the chance of becoming a police officer instead of serving his sentence.Editions
An edition in Portuguese has the.An English edition titled Memoirs of a militia sergeant: a novel has the.