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THE CURSE OF THE FLORES WOMEN written by Angélica Lopes, translated by Zoë Perry (Amazon Crossing; July 1, 2024; Latin American Literature/Book Club Fiction/Novel in Translation)
In this haunting novel about the enduring bonds of womanhood, a young girl weaves together the truth behind her family history and the secrets that resonate through generations.
Eighteen-year-old Alice Ribeiro is constantly fighting―against the status quo, female oppression in Brazil, and even her own mother. But when a family veil is passed down to her, Alice is compelled to fight for the rights of all womankind while also uncovering the hidden history of the women in her family.
Seven generations ago, the small town of Bom Retiro shunned the Flores women because of a “curse” that rendered them unlucky in love. With no men on the horizon to take care of them, the women learned the art of lacemaking to build lives of their own. But their peace was soon threatened by forces beyond any woman’s control.
As Alice begins piecing together the tapestry that is her history, she discovers revelations about the past, connections to the present, and a resilience in her blood that will carry her toward the future her ancestors strove for.
My Review
Angelica Lopes, the Author of “The Curse of the Flores Women” intricately and magically weaves a well written story about Women, Sisterhood, Tradition, Folklore, and Spanish Cultural History. In this captivating and intriguing story, the author vividly and passionately describes the different generations of colorful and dramatic characters, the plot, and the scenery. The Genres for this novel are Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Feminism, with a dash of Magical Realism. The author describes different but related characters in two different family timelines that utilize the symbolic veil that has been embroidered with a secret message through the stitches.
Seven generations ago, the Flores women took this name, because of a “CURSE” that would cause them to be unlucky in love. The women survived on the art of lacemaking, and did well for a while. One of the women in the town of Bom Retiro, used stitches in her embroidery that were a secret message. Another overheard about this “secretive” laced veil.
In modern times, the female protagonist, Alice is a feminist fighting for equal rights for women. She inherits this veil from the family and centuries before. The secrets, betrayals, and tragedy from the past lead Alice to discovering the present and what is needed for the future. I highly recommend this thought-provoking and memorable story.
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