A Death in Brazil

A Death in Brazil is less about a singular death than it is about the transformation of a nation. The novel intimately shares glimpses of the lives of the people Robb encounters, while it also reveals broad swaths of the history of the nation. Corruptions that reach back for generations have kept in power the most wealthy and left the vast majority with a sense of powerlessness, but not all is dark and hopeless. Robb also traces the path of Luis “Lula” da Silva to an unlikely presidential victory, supported by legions of Brazil's youth.

The historical foundation is well-crafted and researched, yet this is not a dry treatise on the after effects of colonialism. It is a vibrant story, sensuously-written and capturing the hopes, fear, and pride of a nation.

Very politically focused. Quite a heavy and complicated read, but the author keeps it interesting with minor sidelines and history.