A personal account by the late author traces his youth in Lisbon with his parents, marked by frequent visits to his wise grandparents in the village of Azinhaga, his older brother's tragic early death, and his initial encounters with literature.

"First published as As pequenas memórias in 2006 by Editorial Caminho, SA, Lisbon; First published in Great Britain in 2009 by Harvill Secker, Random House"