A review by felacoochie
Solitaria: A Novel by Eliana Alves Cruz

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is the first Brazilan Portuguese translation I've ever read and Cruz is prompting me to explore more work from Brazil and Latin America. The translation is poignant and elegant and so moving - I can only imagine what it reads like in Portuguese. The intertwined stories of the Black workers and the rich white family, playing out against a changing political situation in Brazil was done incredibly well. The mother and daughter at the centre of the book creates a really interesting dynamic for thinking about servitude and the choices available for Black women across shifting times and generations. 
My only wish was that we got more of the love story between Mabel, Jao and Cacao - it was getting kinda spicy!