Taking into account the historical and geographical differences, as well as, of course, the nature and intrinsic value of the works concerned, Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis (1839-1908) occupies the same position in Brazilian literature as Camoens does in Portuguese, Cervantes in Spanish, Dante in Italian, Goethe in German, and Shakespeare in English.
In other words, to use symbolic language borrowed from geography itself, Machado de Assis undoubtedly represents the highest peak in Brazilian literature. He can claim to have produced its most significant work up to his time—perhaps no very great achievement. But what is remarkable is the fact that such work has remained so up to the present day, particularly that part produced during the last thirty years of his life.