Description
Set in the rugged backlands of northern Brazil, this novel follows a tense chain of encounters that tests loyalty, survival, and the thin line between justice and vengeance. As its characters move through harsh landscapes and shifting local power, the story blends sharp human drama with a vivid sense of place, where folklore, hardship, and moral ambiguity shape every decision. Guimarães Rosa’s distinctive style—renowned for its lyrical intensity and inventive language—turns everyday speech and regional detail into a haunting, unforgettable narrative. At its core, the book explores how communities negotiate fear and honor, and how the “devil” can be less a supernatural force than the consequences of pride, betrayal, and desperation.
Available Editions
paperback
New York : Knopf
Published Jan 1, 1963
520 pages
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Details
First Published
1963
Language
por
Translation
From: por
Content Warnings
Content and trigger warnings for The Devil to Pay in the Backlands by João Guimarães Rosa.