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A review by bianca89279
The Invisible Life of Euridice Gusmao by Martha Batalha
4.0
3.5 stars
I am in two minds about this novel. On one hand, it deals with the life of Euridice Gusmao, who finds herself stuck into the role of model wife and mother, but is bored and wonders if there's more to life than cleaning, cooking and shopping.
Throughout the book she takes on with gusto different endeavours: gourmet cooking and creating her own recipes - but her dull, unimaginative husband kills her aspirations to publish it, because who'd read something written by a "housewife".
Later on, she becomes a very good seamstress. Again, due to the husband's disapproving she sets that aside. Eventually, she takes on writing. You see, whatever Euridice does she does well and with passion. Imagine all the things she could achieve if only she had free reign.
There were many things that rang true. Some of the writing was quite cheeky and playful, I found that quite endearing. But then, I sort of became disenchanted with the novel, because of the too many side stories of many secondary characters. Some were more interesting than others. There were quite a few stories that felt like fillers to me. And ultimately, they all distracted me from Euridice's story and, for a good part, her sister's story.
I had a hard time making sense of when the main part of the story was taking place. Apparently, it's in the 1940s. But why is it that I remember a TV? I've just Googled: TV transmissions began in Brazil in September 1950. Anyway, that's not that important - what I'm trying to say is that it was difficult to say when the contemporary action was taken place, especially given all the many side stories from back in the day etc.
So while this novel had lots of good things about it, I felt it was uneven and lacked cohesiveness. Nevertheless, the writing sparked enough to make interested to read Batalha's next novel.
I've received this novel via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the publishers, Oneworld Publications, for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
I am in two minds about this novel. On one hand, it deals with the life of Euridice Gusmao, who finds herself stuck into the role of model wife and mother, but is bored and wonders if there's more to life than cleaning, cooking and shopping.
Throughout the book she takes on with gusto different endeavours: gourmet cooking and creating her own recipes - but her dull, unimaginative husband kills her aspirations to publish it, because who'd read something written by a "housewife".
Later on, she becomes a very good seamstress. Again, due to the husband's disapproving she sets that aside. Eventually, she takes on writing. You see, whatever Euridice does she does well and with passion. Imagine all the things she could achieve if only she had free reign.
There were many things that rang true. Some of the writing was quite cheeky and playful, I found that quite endearing. But then, I sort of became disenchanted with the novel, because of the too many side stories of many secondary characters. Some were more interesting than others. There were quite a few stories that felt like fillers to me. And ultimately, they all distracted me from Euridice's story and, for a good part, her sister's story.
I had a hard time making sense of when the main part of the story was taking place. Apparently, it's in the 1940s. But why is it that I remember a TV? I've just Googled: TV transmissions began in Brazil in September 1950. Anyway, that's not that important - what I'm trying to say is that it was difficult to say when the contemporary action was taken place, especially given all the many side stories from back in the day etc.
So while this novel had lots of good things about it, I felt it was uneven and lacked cohesiveness. Nevertheless, the writing sparked enough to make interested to read Batalha's next novel.
I've received this novel via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the publishers, Oneworld Publications, for the opportunity to read and review this novel.