Os Maias: Cenas da Vida Romântica is a novel by Portuguese author José Maria de Eça de Queirós. The story follows the Maia family, a wealthy and influential family in Lisbon during the 19th century.
The novel explores themes of decadence, corruption, and the decline of the aristocracy in Portugal. The Maia family is plagued by scandal and tragedy, as they struggle to maintain their social status and reputation.
One of the central characters is Carlos da Maia, a young doctor who becomes involved in a doomed love affair with Maria Eduarda, a beautiful and enigmatic woman. Their relationship is doomed from the start, as they are unable to overcome the obstacles of social class and family expectations.
As the story unfolds, the reader is drawn into a world of passion, betrayal, and ultimately, tragedy. The novel is a powerful critique of Portuguese society and its moral decay, as seen through the eyes of the Maia family.