Ferreira de Castro had a long career in journalism, and considered his fiction writing to be an extension of his documentary reporting; in that regard, he is considered to be one of the fathers of contemporary Portuguese social-realist (or neorealist) fiction,[1] a forerunner of socially committed literature about the rural and working classes later further established by Alves Redol, and more than once a nominee for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

[2][3] Ferreira de Castro was part of the group of noted public intellectuals that were opposed to the authoritarian Estado Novo regime; despite his participation in almost every pacific action directed against the regime, his national and international recognition as an acclaimed novelist meant he was never a victim of excessively violent repression, such as prison, torture or loss of political rights.

After leaving Paraíso, he lived in precarious conditions, having to resort to jobs such as pasting posters, or as a deckhand on Amazonian ships.

The book received positive reviews in The New York Times, introduced him to Hollywood and allowed him to join the French Pen Club.

[5][6] After the death of his wife, Ferreira de Castro left for England by boat, in the company of the writer Assis Esperança.