The book is a groundbreaking work of Brazilian literature that takes the form of a posthumous autobiography. The narrator, a wealthy and cynical bachelor, reflects on his life from beyond the grave, recounting his romances, friendships, and the various episodes that define his existence with a sharp, often sardonic wit. The narrative defies traditional structure, employing digressions, philosophical musings, and a lack of chronological order to explore themes of love, death, and the futility of human aspirations. Through the narrator's self-aware and critical perspective, the novel satirizes the social norms of its time, revealing the superficiality and hypocrisy of the narrator's social class.

The 4587th greatest book of all time