The Correspondence of Fradique Mendes--ostensibly letters, with an arch introduction--actually ranges widely and revels in many forms of discourse. In this singular work, originally published in 1900, one finds meditations, dialogues, observations, grand shifts in tone, occulted ironies, pastiches, lampoons, and an underlying hilarity throughout. Readers will be reminded of Ishmael's lofty digressions, of Ivan Karamazov's dialogues with his imaginary devil, of Flaubert's stylistic virtuosity, of Gogol's quiet comedy--and more. Fradique, at one point, disingenuously tells us he will never...