A kind of dialogue with Machado de Assis' previous novel, Memórias Póstumas de Bras Cubas, Quincas Borba shares the same characters and situations. In a narrative that mixes both first and third person, this novel tells the story of Rubiãõ, a former teacher who becomes a rich when he receives an inheritance from Quincas Borba, a rich philosopher who had lived as a beggar, and takes the responsibility for the philosopher's dog, also called Quincas Borba. But Rubião goes insane, looses his fortune and lives all alone, except for the dog Quincas Borba, as a beggar in his native city. Rubião finally dies, followed three days later by the dog. Both deaths are ignored.