The Modern Novel

Biography

Graciliano Ramos was born in 1892 in Quebrángulo. He spent most of life in Palmeira dos Índios, where he ran the general store and was prefect and, subsequently, manager of the official printing office and director of public education. He was primarily self-educated, reading classic works on his own. After the success of São Bernardo (São Bernardo), published in 1934, he was arrested in 1936 and imprisoned on a penal island. The charges were never made clear though he was suspected of being a communist and, in fact, joined the Communist Party in 1945. After being released ten months later he moved to Rio de Janeiro, where he held a minor education official post. He was twice married and had seven children. He died in Rio in 1953. He said that the things he did not like included radio, telephones, the middle class, capitalism and people who speak loudly. His favourite reading was the Bible.

Books about Graciliano Ramos

Richard A. Mazzara: Graciliano Ramos

Other links

Graciliano Ramos
Official site (in Portuguese)
Graciliano Ramos (in Portuguese)
Graciliano Ramos (in Portuguese)
Graciliano Ramos (in Portuguese)
Graciliano Ramos (in Portuguese)