Book Club Girl on Air Welcomes Frances de Pontes Peebles to Discuss Her Novel The Seamstress

I'm so pleased to announce that for our first show in August (and the next one after the July 22nd show with Garth Stein) we are welcoming Frances de Pontes Peebles to discuss her novel The Seamstress.

As seamstresses, the young sisters Emília and Luzia dos Santos know how to cut, how to mend, and how to conceal. These are useful skills in the lawless backcountry of Brazil, where ruthless land barons called "colonels" feud with bands of outlaw cangaceiros, trapping innocent residents in the cross fire. Emília, whose knowledge of the world comes from fashion magazines and romance novels, dreams of falling in love with a gentleman and escaping to a big city. Luzia also longs to escape their little town, where residents view her with suspicion and pity. Scarred by a childhood accident that left her with a deformed arm, the quick-tempered Luzia finds her escape in sewing and in secret prayers to the saints she believes once saved her life.

But when Luzia is abducted by a group of cangaceiros led by the infamous Hawk, the sisters' quiet lives diverge in ways they never imagined. Emília stumbles into marriage with Degas Coelho, the son of a doctor whose wealth is rivaled only by his political power.She moves to the sprawling seaside city of Recife, where the glamour of her new life is soon overshadowed by heartache and loneliness. Luzia, forced to trek through scrubland and endure a nomadic existence, proves her determination to survive and begins to see  the cangaceiros as comrades, not criminals.

In Recife, Emília must hide any connection to her increasingly notorious sister. As she learns to navigate the treacherous waters of Brazilian high society, Emília sees the country split apart after a bitter presidential election. Political feuds extend to the countryside, where Luzia and the Hawk are forced to make unexpected alliances and endure betrayals that threaten to break the cangaceiros apart. But Luzia will overcome time and distance to entrust her sister with a great secret—one Emília vows to keep. And when Luzia's life is threatened, Emília will risk everything to save her.

An enthralling novel of love and courage, loyalty and adventure, that brings to life a faraway time and place, The Seamstress is impeccably drawn, rich in depth and vision, and heralds the arrival of a supremely talented new writer.

Read this Q&A with de Pontes Peebles and check out the reading group guide to The Seamstress. I think this is going to be a wonderful discussion and hope that you can join us on August 6th at 2 pm EST for the show. The first 10 people to comment that they'd like to participate in the show will receive a free copy of The Seamstress to read in preparation. Be sure to set your reminder for the show on 8/6 at 2 pm EST as well.

Comments

[Debbie]

The Seamstress sound great I would love to read it.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

[Kathy]

This book sound absolutely marvelous, but I'm not sure I can get it read in time since it's so long.

[anne]

I am captivated with this unique novel and would enjoy reading this book and participating. Thanks for this lovely chance.

[gwendolyn b.]

Wow. This sounds so good. I could get completely lost in this novel. I'd love to participate.

[Carolina Gal's Literary Cafe]

I have been looking forward to this one coming out. I have heard great things from this book. Can't wait to listen in.

[Ti]

This sounds so good! Count me in!

[Carolina Gal's Literary Cafe]

From the previous post, if I did not make it clear yest I wan't to read this book, and participate. It sounds like I can get my teeth into this one.

[Michelle B]

This sounds intriguing! I'd like to participate.

[Amanda]

What a interesting sounding book. I'd love to participate. Thank you!

[scouillard]

I'd like to participate. I would love to read it.
Thanks

[Heather]

I've long wanted to read this book; it just sounds so good! I hope I can listen in! Thanks.

[Kelly]

Sounds really neat I can't wait to listen in!

[Melissa C]

I would love to participate if you still have copies left!