YMMV / Dom Casmurro

• Base-Breaking Character:
  • Capitu. Depending on who you ask, she is either a proto-feminist strong character who was unjustly accused by her paranoid husband, or a manipulative cheater who drove Bentinho off the edge. Alternatively, it's possible to both think she is innocent AND dislike her, as many people consider that even before the whole affair debacle she didn't have much of a personality.
  • Bentinho. Paranoid, jealous guy who made up an infidelity that never existed (and possibly caused Capitu's death as the emotional trauma might have had a negative effect on her health)? Or a flawed but ultimately decent person betrayed by his wife and best friend, who sent Capitu away as a means of protecting her from the judgment of others when Ezequiel's ressemblance to the late Escobar would eventually be noticed?
  • Escobar. A great friend of the main character, or someone who feigned friendship just to get close to his wife.
• Broken Base: Most discussions about this book turn into heated debates about whether Capitu cheated on Bentinho or not, and whether the author intended the book's plot to be ambiguous in the first place.
• Fanfic Fuel: Intentional. During his seminary years, Bentinho tries to write a sonnet, but never manages to finish it leaving it to anyone who has the time to spare to finish it. Numerous fan-made versions of the complete poem exist.
• Hype Backlash: Par for the course for an acclaimed classic. The book is often called the greatest work of literature from Brazil. So there's a good chance when you do read it you'll find it overrated, especially if you conclude that the "affair mystery" was made up.
• It Was His Sled: In Brazil, even people who know nothing about the book know there is a supposed affair and an endless debate on if a guy was cheated on or not.
• Signature Scene: Bento's description of Capitu's expressive, "undertow" eyes is one of the most famous passages of Brazilian literature, and easily one that even people who have not read the book will have heard of through pop culture osmosis.

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