First impressions: production and dissemination of novels at the beginning of the 19th century

Abstract

What kind of reading material did the Brazilian have available in the beginning of the 19th century? Before 1808, only imported books from Europe, but with the inauguration of the Impressão Régia, people could also acquire books printed in Rio de Janeiro. Following the trend of importing novels, established since the 18th century, Rios booksellers started offering, through local newspapers, novels published by the Impressão Régia. Once such novels were found and read, we comment on how these books were poorly printed, on their prices and on the fact that they were altered by the editor. These aspects may indicate a specific public and influence on different comprehension processes. Furthermore, by screening the texts, we try to understand what kinds of narratives are presented. Among the subjects commonly treated by The Impressão Régias publications, we here have a take on the novels, traveling narratives and (I)mmoral tales.