Speaking of elegies, this is his last work, written four years after the death of his wife and published the year he died. It is filled with reminiscences, with the valedictory observations of an old man. A bit melancholy, a bit ordinary in the largely unoriginal observations but nevertheless a pleasure to read for all that. A simple story, told as a series of diary entries, it’s a quick and easy read and worth the time. Although it’s not among his greatest works, he’s such a great writer that you can overlook its flaws and read it for the modest pleasures that it brings. ( )

Memorial de Aires apresenta um enredo narrado pelo Conselheiro Aires, que remonta em um diário os anos de 1888 e 1889, em que viveu como um diplomata idoso e aposentado no Rio de Janeiro. Com várias observações argutas em suas memórias, Aires chega a enganar e confundir os leitores.
Nas páginas de Memorial de Aires são apresentadas pessoas com quem o narrador conviveu, citações de leituras e obras que leu quando era diplomata e reflexões sobre fatos passados que ocorreram na política. Uma das principais personagens descritas por Aires é Fidélia, moça mais jovem por quem ele se interessou. Devido à idade avançada, Aires nunca revelou seu amor à Fidélia, considerada uma filha para o casal Dona Carmo e Aguiar, que não pode ter filhos.

"Memorial de Aires" teve sua composição como um diário de memórias. Ele é narrado pelo personagem Conselheiro Aires. Nele, fala-se sobre dois anos de sua vida como um diplomata aposentado, com cerca de seis décadas de vida e residente do Rio de Janeiro entre os anos de 1888 e 1889

Memorial de Aires é o último romance escrito por Machado de Assis, publicado no mesmo ano de sua morte, 1908. Está organizado como uma série de entradas em um diário e, como Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas, não tem um enredo único, mas compõe-se de vários episódios e anedotas que se interpermeiam.

In fact if it really was a tear, it was so fleeting that by the time I was aware of it no longer existed. All is transient in this world If my eyes were not so bad I'd set about composing another Ecclesiastes, a modern version, even though after that book nothing can be considered modern. He said that there was nothing new under the sun, and if there wasn't then, there wasn't before and never will be again. Everything is contradictory as well as confused.

The Wager is comprised of the journal entries of a widower, a retired diplomat returning to Brazil from a career spent in the capitols of Europe. Hs entries contrast with what he purports to say publicly. This creates an interesting tension. The title arrives in a challenge between he and his sister about the fate of a young widow. One should not harbor images of [b:Dangerous Liaisons|49540|Dangerous Liaisons|Pierre Choderlos de Laclos|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1298425654s/49540.jpg|3280025] as this is something placid. It isn't epistolary like de Laclos, though similar passing comments are extended to peasants, in this case newly freed slaves. There is a remarkable poise to this work. The diarist remains rather self critical, especially in regards to how matters should be represented. I admired that. He complains and admits to being petulant, he ascribes such to being afforded a childhood, free from having to carry things.

The song Silent Boatmen by Parliament arrived on my shuffle yesterday while I was driving home. This unexpected statement fell into accord with the whispered core of The Wager. I must warn thee, the conclusion isn't for the meek.
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