The Unknown Islands

"Brandão describes his wonder at the rich flora and fauna as if it were a sacred pastoral music, a sleeping forest, a musical dream of the sound of water that filled him with ecstasy. The chapters on whaling and fishermen are dramatic, novelistic episodes within the poetic travelogue. Brandão paints an illuminating portrait of the Azores from 100 years ago. The book is beautifully translated by Brookshaw."—CHOICE

"[David Brookshaw's] sensitive translation of Brandao, 'poet', painter and consummate realist, makes The Unknown Islands a joy to read, especially uplifting and welcome in this troubled year of 2020."—Metamorphoses