The Little Brunette (A Moreninha in Portuguese) is a classic of Brazilian literature and was the first novel written in Brazil. Published in 1844, it was an immediate success, and it remains popular to this day. It was written by Joaquim Manuel de Macedo, who was a journalist, novelist, playwright, and memoirist. He was born in Itaboraí, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, on June 24, 1820. The novel The Little Brunette tells the story of four young men—Filipe, Augusto, Leopoldo, and Fabrício. They are medical students. Two of the friends make a Augusto, a fickle and proud young man who claims he can never fall in love for more than three days, accepts a challenge. Fabrício invites him to a party celebrating Saint Anne’s Day, where his beautiful cousins will be present. The celebration takes place on Paquetá Island, where Filipe’s aunt lives. If Augusto returns to Rio de Janeiro in love with one of the girls, he must write a novel about his love. But if he doesn’t, then it is Filipe who will have to write a novel about his defeat. During the celebration, Augusto meets Carolina — the Little Brunette — and falls in love with her. However, he has sworn never to love anyone else, because long ago he made a promise to a mysterious girl he met in his childhood. The mystery is solved at the end of the book, and the reader will be surprised by this great love story.