Camilo Castelo Branco - Eusebio Macario

Eusébio Macário presents itself as a remarkable exercise in satirical parody of the new directions of realism and naturalism in Portugal, within the field of the novel. Still formed within a romantic culture, but practicing a narrative with realistic traits and claiming to be influenced by Balzac's style of the Human Comedy, Camilo is not indifferent to the renewed literary trend, reacting with a sharp and jocular parodic offense.

Eusébio Macário is a serious joke, a carnivalization of a novelistic style, an entertainment with critical depth. For the writer, the Macários are a paradigm of the modern country, in terms of taste and behavior, as he laments to Martins Sarmento: "I know what is read and applauded in this idiotic country: they are Eusébio Macários."