Originally published in 1893, Habitações Operarias (Workers' Housing) is Teixeira Bastos's detailed investigation into the living conditions of Lisbon's labor force. It's part social study, part passionate appeal for reform.

The Story

There isn't a fictional plot with characters. Instead, Bastos guides us on a tour of the city's poorest districts. He describes exactly what he sees: overcrowded buildings, rooms without proper light or air, and a complete lack of basic sanitation. He talks about the health problems this causes, especially for children, and argues that these terrible homes are holding back the entire nation's progress. The "story" is the clash between the booming industrial age and the forgotten people who powered it.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this book special is its directness. Bastos writes with a reformer's fire, but he backs it up with clear observations. You can almost smell the damp walls and feel the desperation. It pulls the curtain back on a world that polite society ignored. Reading it today, it’s a stark reminder of how far we've come in workers' rights and public health, and how those battles were fought with documents just like this one.

Final Verdict

Perfect for history buffs who want to move beyond kings and battles to understand everyday life, or for anyone interested in the roots of urban planning and social justice. It’s a short, focused, and surprisingly gripping piece of historical reporting that gives a powerful voice to the people who built a modern city.