Books from Brazil

Set in 1990, Strangerland follows two people whose lives are shaped by migration, family obligations, and the search for belonging. Zivoin has recently arrived in London from Yugoslavia. As the dependable eldest son, he works long hours and sends his savings home to support his family, while watching news of his homeland’s growing political turmoil. Thousands of miles away, in Uberlândia, Brazil, Alegria prepares to leave the country and family she loves in pursuit of a better future. Ambitious and determined, she hopes to provide her parents with greater security, even if it means building a life far from home. When their paths cross, Zivoin and Alegria discover an unexpected connection that offers them a sense of belonging in unfamiliar surroundings. Their journey together takes them across countries and continents, testing their relationship and forcing them to confront the sacrifices involved in making a life elsewhere. Inspired by the author’s family history, the novel explores immigration, cultural identity, family loyalty, and the enduring power of love to transcend borders, languages, and time.