Ein nostalgischer Spötter / Um galhofeiro nostálgico

Originally published as an afterword to the German translation of Memorial de Aires, entitled Tagebuch des Abschieds (Berlin: Friedenauer Presse, 2009), the present article contextualizes the literary production of Machado de Assis, especially his last novel, in the Brazilian socio-political environment of the 19th century. Besides approaching biographical and historical aspects which are relevant to the understanding of the novel, it discusses translation questions and intercultural parallels, working as an important paratext to the German translation.http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-4237.2013n14p247Originariamente publicado como posfácio à tradução de Memorial de Aires em alemão (Tagebuch des Abschieds. Berlim: Friedenauer Presse, 2009), este artigo contextualiza a obra de Machado de Assis, em especial seu último romance, no ambiente sociopolítico brasileiro do século XIX. Além de abordar aspectos biográficos e históricos relevantes para a compreensão da obra e de traçar um histórico de sua recepção, o artigo aponta questões tradutórias e paralelos interculturais, funcionando como um importante paratexto da tradução alemã.ABSTRACTOriginally published as an afterword to the German translation of Memorial de Aires, entitled Tagebuch des Abschieds (Berlin: Friedenauer Presse, 2009), the present article contextualizes the literary production of Machado de Assis, especially his last novel, in the Brazilian socio-political environment of the 19th century. Besides approaching biographical and historical aspects which are relevant to the understanding of the novel, it discusses translation questions and intercultural parallels, working as an important paratext to the German translation.Keywords: Machado de Assis; Memorial de Aires; German translatio