The Seamstress

[stoppoppingtheP]

This is the story of two sisters, Emilia and Luzia, who grow up together, yet go down two different pathways. It is a historical fiction written by Frances de Pontes Peebles and published by HarperCollins Publishers.

The story of The Seamstress is set In Brazil in the early 20th century. Emilia and Luzia are two sisters who live with their aunt in a village town in the harsh scrublands of Brazil. They grow up having a fairly difficult life, especially because of the common droughts and harsh landscapes of the countryside. Luzia’s life first changes when she breaks her arm when falling from a mango tree, and she is thereafter known for her disfigured arm. The aunt bestows upon both girls her knowledge of sewing, and they soon both become proficient in their trade.

However, their lives change unalterably when Luzia is kidnapped by the cangaceiros. The cangaceiros are the terror of the countryside. Their reputation precedes them, and they rob, murder and place fear into the hearts of those they cross. One day Luzia is kidnapped by the Hawk and his group, and so she begins her life with them. The Hawk is a fascinating character, who is feared by everybody, yet in himself is such a deep and complex individual.

On the other hand, Emilia has to deal with her aunt’s death soon after Luzia’s kidnapping, and she realizes that she has to take the course of her life into her own hands. She ends up marrying and moving to the big city, where soon she mixes with the high and mighty of society, joins in the women's suffrage and opens her own successful seamstress business. Yet her marriage and life is not as perfect and happy as it seems.

Throughout the story, the sisters are on constantly different pathways and their lives could not be more different, yet at the same time they manage to keep tabs on each other, and never lose that bond.

I found the story absolutely fascinating, and actually spent many nights reading into the early hours of the morning, or until my tablet battery died, only then would I stop reading it.

I think this book is brilliant in all aspects. In the historical sense, it's grammatical level and in its ability to keep one spellbound. I rate the story a four out of four stars, and would recommend this to anyone. One thing I must mention though, is that the story is quite long.

This story is actually inspired by historical events and the authors family stories.

[Mistyrainbowrose]

This sounds like a good book! I love books that keep me awake at night, wanting to read more.

[littlefrog]

I love reading, and never can say I have a favorite genre. Always looking for a book that can pull me in and keep me there. Reading is my escape, as it is for many. With my very active lifestyle and almost always constant chaos, a good book for me is one that pulls me in and shuts out all the other noises around me. This will go on my list. Thank you

[stoppoppingtheP]

I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.