A chave dos manuscritos – Um novo olhar sobre Vidas secas

This article offers a genetic reading of Barren lives [Vidas secas] based on the study of Graciliano Ramos’s autograph manuscripts, preserved at the Institute of Brazilian Studies at the University of São Paulo. The analysis examines writing and rewriting procedures, uncovering the meticulous architecture behind the novel. Through cuts, insertions, substitutions, and marginal annotations, traces of the creative process emerge, revealing deliberate stylistic decisions. The article also revisits the book’s structure – long considered a “dismountable novel” – arguing for its internal cohesion and the author’s intentional chapter arrangement. By delving into the material and textual layers of the genetic dossier of Barren lives, this study sheds light on lesser-known aspects of its literary construction and opens up new interpretative possibilities.