The Seamstress by Frances de Pontes Peebles
Emilia and Luczia grew up in the early part of the 20th century in the small village of Taquaritinga, Brazil with their aunt after losing both of their parents. Aunt Sofia is the seamstress for the local colonel and teaches both girls her skill. Luczia’s life is irrevocably changed when she falls out of a tree as a child. Set incorrectly, her elbow is locked, causing the arm to be difficult to use and setting her apart from others in their village, making her unmarrigeable to any of the local boys. Young adulthood shows Emilia and Luczia to be two very different people: Luczia has grown used to the freedom of being different while Emilia desires to be fashionable and get out of the interior of Brazil, to go to Recife, if not to an even bigger city.
From these attitudes, the girls’ choices pull them apart. When a cancageiro called the Hawk comes through Taquaritinga he invites Luczia to join him and his gang. As a result of the stress of losing her neice to the cancageiros and her exposure to stormy weather that night, Aunt Sofia passes away, prompting Emilia to do whatever it takes to get out of Tanquaritinga where there is no longer anything to hold her and to Recife. In their new realms, both girls end up attaining some measure of noteriety as they try to make their ways as best as they can. Although they are now living very different lives, the way they live them will begin to draw the girls back together again.
The first thing that you’ll notice about “The Seamstress” is that it is long, nearly 650 pages. Once you notice that, you may guess that it isn’t exactly jam-packed with action. Well, you’re right, it is hard to write 650 pages that are jam-packed with action. That being said, “The Seamstress” is not a book I had to slog through in the least. Rather, it was one where I would suddenly say, “Wait, did I just read 50 pages? How did that happen?” It is both a quick read and a book that had me so enthralled that I didn’t notice the passage of time until my baby reminded me of it.
I loved the characters of Emilia and Luczia and how they grew over the course of the book. I loved the storyline that de Pontes Peebles put together. Mostly, though, I loved the way that, through this book, I was immersed in pre-WWII Brazil. I fell fully into Brazilian society, understanding the challenges of the countryside and the cities and the difficulties of balance between the two. This was simply fantastic historical fiction for giving me a sense of place ant time. I hope that de Pontes Peebles writes more!
“The Seamstress” is now out in paperback, which helps the weight issue of wanting to haul a 600+ page book with you everywhere you go.
Buy this book from:
Powells.
A local independent bookseller via Indiebound.
Amazon.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me this book to review!
650 pages??? Wow I would not have guessed that. It looks delightful and you review it well. Tanks for the info on this one.
.-= Sheila DeChantal´s last blog ..Sunday….errr…. Monday Week in Review =-.
I saw this one at the library Saturday and almost picked it up. Didn’t realize it was 600+ pages, though! Yikes. Well, I wouldn’t have brought it home this weekend, anyway. I’ll remember it for next time, though — sounds fabulous!
.-= WordLily´s last blog ..Cover confusion =-.
I’m reading this book right now and I’m loving it too! I keep hoping for a happy resolution for Luzia and Emilia
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Books Bought =-.
This sounds fabulous. I love HF and know pretty much nothing about that era in Brazil — well, I don’t know much about any era in Brazil!
I’m going to read this one for sure!! Excellent review!
wow, that is a big book, but it seems to be very engaging.
.-= Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday #41 =-.
I have this in my Kindle ( which takes away from the weight problem,lol) I stared it and was enjoying it but then got distracted by other books. This reminds me that I need to get back to it soon before I forget what I’ve already read. Great review!
.-= bookmagic´s last blog .. =-.
I didn’t read your review closely because I still have to write mine! I finished this book last night and absolutely adored it! Really good on so many levels!
.-= Julie P.´s last blog ..Review: The Daddy Longlegs Blues =-.
Great review! I’m glad you enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading it since I’ve it in my pile.
.-= Melody´s last blog ..Looking for Alaska by John Green =-.
Gosh! That book cover is so beautiful, and well I love the sound of this one! 650? I started on The Girl who played with fire
that’s my FIRST 600+ pages 
.-= Veens´s last blog ..Monday and a long overdue update! =-.
This sounds like such a lovely book. I like that the 650 pages don’t feel long at all – that’s always the sign of an engaging book.
.-= Belle´s last blog ..Review: The Mysterious Mr. Quin, by Agatha Christie =-.
A quick read at 650 pages? Not the way I read
I’m gladyou liked it. I love thick books because you become so much a part of the story.
.-= stacybuckeye´s last blog ..Alan Rickman Was In That? Quiz =-.
Well, quick FOR 650 pages.
This book sounds very interesting. Initially, the length turned me off, but I might give it a try after your review!
.-= S. Krishna´s last blog ..Nothing But Ghosts – Beth Kephart =-.
Wow! Great review! For anyone who’s intrigued by this book, join us tomorrow, 8/6 at 2 pm for a discussion with the author of THE SEAMSTRESS, Frances de Pontes Peebles. For more info, visit http://shar.es/Kkvi. Thanks!
Awesome review! Thanks so much for bringing my attention to this book. I added it to my TBR.
.-= Teddy´s last blog ..More Vacation =-.
Just checked this one out of the library. Looking forward to it!