Flesh and Bone and Water

Flesh and Bone and Water, by Luiza Sauma, is a mesmerising debut novel that paints a vivid portrait of life, love, and the complexities of human relationships set against the evocative backdrops of Brazil and London. With a narrative that spans two decades, this tale delicately explores themes of class, sex, and power, woven into the fabric of a young man's coming-of-age journey.

The story follows Brazilian-born doctor Andre Cabral, who lives in London but is emotionally tethered to his past in Brazil. His seemingly tranquil life takes an unexpected turn when a letter from his homeland appears, a letter he carries with him for weeks without revealing its existence to anyone. This letter becomes a catalyst, forcing Andre to confront buried memories from nearly thirty years ago - memories that are as vivid and haunting as the landscapes of his youth.

As Andre recalls his past, readers are transported to the sun-drenched afternoons on Ipanema beach, where he and his disenchanted teenage friends languished, and the opulent parties held in the sophisticated apartments of Rio de Janeiro. We also see him as a young boy working after school at his father’s illustrious plastic surgery clinic, and most importantly, grappling with his forbidden passion for Luana, the daughter of his family’s maid. Luana is an enigmatic and captivating figure who represents both a tangible connection to Andre's past and the social divides that define much of his early life.

Unable to ignore the magnetic pull of the letter and what it signifies, Andre ultimately decides to travel back to Brazil. This journey is as much about rediscovering his roots as it is about confronting the ghosts of his past. Through Sauma's richly descriptive prose, readers embark on a poignant exploration of identity, memory, and the ever-unfolding passage of time.

Flesh and Bone and Water is a deeply moving narrative that delves into the intricacies of family dynamics, unfulfilled desires, and the lasting impacts of our choices. Luiza Sauma’s debut is both a love letter to Brazil and a compelling examination of the ties that bind us, wherever we may go.