Seven elements of the Luso-Brazilian literary market in the nineteenth century

Abstract

This article seeks to analyze some striking features of the LusoBrazilian editorial market during the nineteenth century. Abandoning
the Ancien Régime, these countries began the construction of a
modern, capitalist literary market, leaving aside the collective readings,
the patronage, the elitism of literature and, more lingeringly, the
reading of religious best sellers. Brazil remained, throughout the nineteenth century, a major consumer of Portuguese books: writers
and editors of the ancient metropolis depended on him to get much of
their income. This integration didn't happen without conflicts,
however. In a scenario marked by strong commercialization, polemics,
illiteracy, journalism, competition, duels and plagiarism.