Mário de Sá-Carneiro is considered one of the great literary figures of early-twentieth-century Portugal and one who had a profound impact on the emergence of the modernist movement. Critics and literary historians alike widely agree that Fernando Pessoa--the key figure of Portuguese modernism and one of Europe's greatest modern poets--is largely indebted to the friendship, existential complexity, and artistic genius of Sá-Carneiro.

Sá-Carneiro was born on 19 May 1890 into a wealthy family. His mother died when Sá-Carneiro was only two years old, so his father left him with his grandparents and a governess. Meanwhile, his father dedicated himself to a life of business travels. As Sá-Carneiro grew up, he traveled with his father to Paris, Switzerland, and Italy. Sá-Carneiro's writing experience started early in school and included poetry, journalism, short stories, and a play. In...