Letters from an antagonist

The launch of the website O Antagonista in January 2015 represented a milestone for journalism in Brazil. Along with Diogo Mainardi, Mario Sabino is the creator of this phenomenon. These Letters from an Antagonist bring together Mario's elegant prose, precise perspective, and good humor. In addition to three more in-depth essays—two of which were written when he was Veja's correspondent in Paris—this book comprises 46 articles by Mario, written for the website's newsletter between April and September 2016. They are a concise and accurate reflection on Dilma Rousseff's final months as president. But not only that. The subject also addresses the mental state of the nation, whose madness has only kept us from hitting rock bottom because, in Brazil, rock bottom can always be a little deeper. One leaves this book with the certainty that Brazilians, so beset by politicians and the monumental state, are resilient, survivors, and should also be antagonists.