Reading Graciliano Ramos in the United States

Abstract

Studies of the work of Graciliano Ramos have approached numerousaspects of his oeuvre, and there can be no doubt that his books havestirred a lasting interest among North-American critics. However,despite the substantial volume of academic essays on this Alagoanauthor, no study covers the history of his critical reception in TheUnited States – a situation the present article hopes to redress. Adiscussion of this topic raises defining historical moments, as wellas ideological persuasions and cultural backgrounds that haveinfluenced the way US critics select, read and write about literaturefrom other regions.