As early as 1878, while serving in the Portuguese consulate at Newcastle upon Tyne, Eça had at least given a name to this book and had begun working on it.

The novel uses the Monarchy's decline in Portugal (late 19th century), as a predominant theme, reflecting its author's own regret at his country's slow decay.

Its name comes from a tiled panel depicting a bouquet of sunflowers set on the place where the stone with the coat of arms should be.

Pedro da Maia, who is given the typical romantic education, becomes a weak, low-spirited and sensitive man.

Later he meets a gorgeous woman at the Hotel Central during a dinner organized by João da Ega (his friend and accomplice from University who lives with Carlos) in honor of Baron Cohen, the director of the National Bank.

After many comical and disastrous adventures he finally discovers the woman's name – Maria Eduarda, and ends up meeting her.

It starred a very select group of Brazilian actors, most of them with long careers on TV, theatre and cinema.

The screenplay was adapted by the renowned soap opera writer Maria Adelaide Amaral and directed by Luiz Fernando Carvalho.

This is considered one of the most outstanding Globo productions in terms of photographic and overall artistic quality, but failed miserably, with low television ratings (often lower than a 9% audience share), probably because it was shown late at night.