Teófilo Braga's "Contos Fantásticos" is a collection of short stories exploring themes of intense passions, leading to suicide, death, betrayal, and extreme renunciations. These tales, heavily influenced by the works of E.T.A. Hoffmann and Edgar Allan Poe, delve into the macabre and the supernatural. Braga's familiarity with Swedenborg's esoteric philosophy adds another layer of depth to these narratives, making them a unique blend of gothic horror and philosophical inquiry. The stories, originally published in the newspapers "Jornal do Comércio" and "Revista Contemporânea de Portugal e Brasil," introduced a new wave of gothic elements to Portuguese literature, captivating readers with their eerie atmosphere and exploration of the dark side of human nature.