Free Download | The Seamstress | Frances De Pontes Peebles Novel

As seamstresses, the young sisters EmÍlia and Luzia dos Santos know how to cut, mend, and conceal—useful skills in the lawless backcountry of Brazil, where ruthless land barons feud with bands of outlaw cangaceiros, trapping innocent residents in the crossfire. EmÍlia, a naive romantic, dreams of falling in love with a gentleman and escaping to a big city. Quick-tempered Luzia also longs for escape, finding it in her craft and secret prayers to the saints she believes once saved her life. But when Luzia is abducted by cangaceiros led by the infamous Hawk and EmÍlia stumbles into a marriage with the son of a wealthy and politically powerful doctor, the sisters' quiet lives diverge in ways they never would have imagined. This book has all the qualities I love to read-fiction and yet there is a historical accurateness to it.I compare it to Water for Elephants, the author takes us on a journey to Brazil, just before WWII. Prior to reading this book, I knew very little about the history of Brazil. Now I feel like I have been there. I must say, however, that the brutality and the gore could have been left out.After reading about the behaviors of the bandits in close detail, there were times when I needed to skim over parts, to avoid becoming sickened.I feel it is disturbing that the need for shocking the reader has become a part of literature, even though implied torture would have worked out just as well for me.