I'm always interested in translated fiction and getting to know the work of previously unknown (to me) authors. It's not often I get to travel to Brazil while reading, so of course I was very excited to have the opportunity to do so with The Curse Of The Flores Women. My Portuguese isn't exactly up to standard to be able to read a whole novel, and I thought that this upcoming English translation was the perfect opportunity to finally try Angélica Lopes' writing. I have to say that this turned out to be a very satisfying read, and I will be looking forward to explore more of her work in the future.

The Curse Of The Flores Women uses a dual timeline structure, where we switch between 1918-1919 in Bom Retiro and 2010 in Rio de Janeiro. It focuses on the same family generations apart, linked by a curse that might have caused them to be unlucky in love... The men sure don't last long as part of their family, that's for sure. Dual timelines can go both ways for me, as I usually much prefer one over the other. In this case, I did prefer 1918-1919 as it was simply more gripping, but I did like what the 2010 timeline added as it gave us some answers as to what happened after the events in the past timeline.

This story is a mix of historical fiction and a family saga following the Flores women, and it also has a hint of the mystical with the curse. The main focus is on the lives of the women though and the hardships they face in a world where women don't have power. It is also about the lace making, and how this craft is used to gain a voice... This element is probably one of my favorite parts of the story, and I loved how prominent of a role lace making played in the plot. A little warning though: especially the 2010 timeline has a strong feminist voice, which could be a bit overpowering in parts.

As for the characters... It was so much easier to connect to the women in the 1918-1919 timeline than it was to Alice in the present. Her personality was actually quite hard to warm up to, but thankfully the role she played wasn't as big as some of the other characters. I enjoyed following the Flores women in the past though, and especially the younger generation. They all have their flaws of course, but it only made their character development more realistic. Their personal stories are used to portray the struggles women faced back then, and especially poor Eugênia had a hard time.

If you like the sound of a well written and immersive multigenerational story with a twist and are, like me, intrigued by the promise lace making, a Brazilian setting and a curse, I can definitely recommend making the time to read The Curse Of The Flores Women.

Okay, this was just a lovely read. I loved the connection between the women and how strong they all were. You know I love reading historical book that show that not all women were docile and accepted their circumstances. The connection between the knitting and sending secret messages between them.

This was just a great read and I want everyone to read it.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

ARC recebido pelo netgalley e leitura finalizada dia 31/05/2024 (rated 4,5)
Estou completamente fissurada nessa história emocionante de uma família amaldiçoada e seus códigos em pontos de crochê. Simplesmente chocada com os rumos que a história tomou e como tudo aconteceu e foi contado através de uma véu feito pela Eugênia. A leitura flui super bem, os capítulos são rápidos de ler e fáceis de entender, as histórias intercalam passado e presente, tendo mais passado, pra conhecermos melhor a história. Senti um pouco de falta de um desenvolvimento melhor da Alice no tempo presente, mas entendo que esse não é o ponto principal da história, o ponto é apresentar a família Flores para, através delas, pode contar finalmente a verdadeira história do ocorrido com a Eugênia. Muito lindo e comovente toda a movimentação da Inês para ajudar a amiga e muito triste o final, infelizmente mais do que comum naquela época e AINDA na nossa realidade.

Historical Fiction novels are some of my favorite, and this novel just kept that theme going. The Flores women faced several tragedies and endured through them all. The writing of this novel brought up all types of feelings as the writing is very well-developed and meaningful. This is such a beautiful story of the bonds of family and women.

I am glad I picked up this one, it was an interesting and fast read. I enjoyed reading about a time and place I’m not familiar with. The characters were diverse. There’s a lot of make you think moments which I appreciated. I enjoy reading about mothers and daughters and the complicated relationship that is always present.

There were some things that brought down my rating, though. One of them being the title of the book. The curse of the family isn’t really as featured as I thought it would have been. Actually this story isn’t truly about the Flores women. The curse felt like an after thought which is weird since it’s the title of the book.

There’s a lot of domestic violence and horribly violent and graphic scenes in this book. It is not a massive trigger for me. But it is for many and I was surprised there were no warnings at the beginning of the book.

Reading books that are translated into your native language are always interesting to me. I love reading about other cultures and traditions.

Solid concept, ineffective execution. Loved the idea of a group of young lace makers developing a secret code to send messages to a friend in an arranged marriage. That said, this covers seven generations of women in 235 pages. I think it can be challenging to bring that many characters to life in so few pages, and the struggle showed. I often felt like I was reading a list of names for which I had no reference points or connection. The longer I read, the more confused and detached I became. The modern timeline was unnecessary, as was the nonsense about the curse. Would have preferred the time be spent on the plight of these young women trying to save their friend. Had we spent more time with the characters, become invested in their relationships, experienced their hardships first hand, etc, this could have been very emotionally impactful. Sadly, that wasn't the case for me. My overarching experience was bored, not invested, and confused.

This was so beautifully written. I felt every emotion under the sun. The Flores Women are truly strong and powerful.

Historical fiction in a whole new light. I was drawn in immediately. The book is set 1918/2919 and 2010 Brazil. This is about a curse placed on the Flores family for seven generations by the gypsies passing through their small town. The curse comes to pass and becomes a subject that isn’t talked about and presumed to not occur if the story isn’t passed along to the next generation. The women make their own money through lacemaking. They make veils, table coverings, bed coverings. They were able to stitch words into their lace to send messages that only they would understand.. the story is told seamlessly from various POV. t the time an arranged marriage was the norm. Which likely would put the woman into an unhappy life of servitude. The women formed a circle of like minded family and friends. These women would spend their days making fine lace together and evenings working on lace alone. Their lace was sold together and the money divided so each woman would have her own allotment to do with as she pleased. Divorce was unheard of at that time. Yes, I would definitely recommend this book that contains a bit of romance with suspense. Such a good story which has been retold in English. It’s a five star bookworm me. Special thanks to the following for allowing me to review early and provide my own honest opinion:
#NetGalley,
#AmazonCrossing
#Author: Angelica Lopes
#Title: TheCurseoftheFloresWomen
#Translator: #ZoePerry
Publication Date: July 1, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Crossing, and the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't read a historical fiction novel in a while, and this was very, very good.

It's very much so unputdownable. The tragedies the Flores women endure will pull at your heartstrings. The beautiful writing will invoke all types of feelings from you as you read. The writing invokes feelings and brings to life a story full of family drama, violence, unwanted marriages, religious conflicts, and lacemaking. Each character is vivid and well-developed.

The only thing I did not like was the dual time period. I was much more engaged with the 1918 storyline than the modern-day storyline.

4/5 stars - I definitely will recommend it!

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book, but it was a really interesting and unique read. I loved how the author bounced between 1918/1919 and 2010 to tell a powerful story of healing generational trauma.

I do wish there was a little more time spent exploring the current mother/daughter relationship, but the focus of the book was clearly the events of the past and how they carried forward.

This was a great historical fiction read and definitely one I will be recommending!

“It was always an act of rebellion, albeit invisible.”

What a fantastic first line! I was already wondering what the act of rebellion was and why it was necessary to keep it hidden.

I usually don’t reach for a translated book, but the beautiful cover and the cultural aspect called out to me. I was intrigued by a skill (lacemaking) that I knew nothing about and the setting (Brazil in the early 1900s) that I knew next to nothing about. I saw this book as a learning experience - and indeed it was!

The first thing I noticed was the flow of the story. I wasn’t expecting this from a translated book! I was immediately engaged. Author Angelica Lopes swept me away with her story featuring the Flores women and the terrible curse they’ve endured for the past 7 generations. Lacemaking has been a craft these women had to learn to survive. The curse made sure that they were unable to rely on anyone else to support them.

I think the 2010 timeline with Alice and the heirloom was the perfect segue into this feature story about her ancestors. Not only that, each timeline was equally interesting and spotlighted the struggles of the era, the bonds of friendship and the political pull of oppression, activism and feminism. The interconnection as a result of their craft was inspiring - strong, courageous women united by the art of transforming thread and woven tape into lace!

The Flores women each told their story through either how they think, how they see, or how they act. Lopes explores feminism from the narrator’s (Ines Flores) point of view. We get to see how Ines thinks and deliberates. Because the main story is focused on the Sheriff’s daughter, Eugenia, readers get to know about this time in history through what Eugenia sees. She has a dream. Finally, Vitorina is the ‘doer’ and readers get to see her outlook on their shared history through her actions. My eyes were opened to things I’d never considered; the ripple effects from feuding families, the fear of the Coronelismo and the Cangaco. This story showcased some very clever plotting!

The lace coding was fascinating and I think this book will be forefront of my thoughts each time I hear a bird call this Spring! I equally loved the thought of us being “keepers of knowledge” as a legacy for the future as I loved the concept of there being resilience in Anna’s blood. I finished, satisfied that what her ancestors had struggled with was the very thing that would provide for Alice’s future.

I recommend this fascinating book, featuring secrets shared between the generations and the bonds of family and friendship.

I was gifted this copy by Amazon Crossing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

In this captivating and haunting novel, the author masterfully portrays the enduring ties of womanhood as a young protagonist, Alice Ribeiro, delves into the rich tapestry of her family's history and the profound secrets that resonate across generations. Set against a backdrop of resistance and female oppression in Brazil, eighteen-year-old Alice grapples with societal norms and confronts her own mother, embodying a spirit of resilience in her relentless pursuit for justice and equality.

As a family heirloom, a veil is passed down to Alice, serving as a catalyst for her to embark on a journey that uncovers the hidden legacy of the women in her lineage. The narrative spans seven generations, delving into the story of the Flores women in Bom Retiro, whose lives were marked by the town's rejection due to a supposed "curse" that condemned them to loveless fates. Undeterred, these resilient women turned to lacemaking to forge their own destinies, only to face unforeseen challenges that transcended time.

Through Alice's exploration of her family's saga, the novel weaves together revelations of the past, its poignant connections to the present, and the indomitable spirit coursing through her veins—a testament to the strength and determination that her ancestors embodied. This story of empowerment, rooted in heritage and the struggle for autonomy, serves as an homage to the courage and unwavering spirit of womanhood.

Readers enamored with narratives that echo with resilience and the enduring power of familial bonds will find themselves deeply engrossed in this evocative and beautifully rendered tale. It's a testament to the enduring strength of women throughout history, resonating with those drawn to themes of empowerment, legacy, and the unyielding pursuit of equality.

I was intrigued by the title. So, there's this island in Indonesia called Flores Island, so I thought this was about that lol. How presumptuous of me! Flores in the title means "Flower" and that refers to the house with many flowers in the garden. Therefore, this curse refers to the family living in that house.

Surprisingly, I love this book. This is not my usual genre, but the narration (that is the translation) is so easy to digest and follow, even though in many parts the POV jumps here and there, but somehow it manages to flow neatly without being confusing. The use of multiple POV and dual timeline are also effective to keep the tension, the mystery, and the fight in the different generation.

The story revolves around three best friends: Eugenia, sheriff's daughter; Ines Flores, one of the Flores family; and Vitorina, grocery shop's daughter; who live in a small town in Brazil, Bom Retiro in 1918-1919. The other timeline told a story of Alice, in 2010. By the choice of voice and events, this is an obvious story about feminism, and the author writes it so well. Even though the story is told from Ines, as "I", but she acts omniscient through the eyes of so many other characters, therefore I can see a lot of what they're thinking before doing something. This is a good plot device when used correctly, because this evokes my sympathism toward everyone in this book, despite what they've done.

For example, in some parts I hate Tia Firmina (Ines' aunt) for being in denial for so long and her action is the true catalyst of the main action of the book; but I see the lives through Firmina's eyes, and when she convinced herself that she's doing this for Flores family, I believe her. I understand her fear and her fierce protectiveness for her family, because I see in her heart that she means well.

I think every woman in this book, with different personality and different background, has their own way to fight for themselves and for each other. Eugenia is a dreamer who has a vision, Vitorina who acts will do the action, and Ines the thinker will provide solution. Women's strength doesn't need to be sword and armor. Femininity and intelligence are also strengths. You can still fight in the corset and dress, while making lace and managing households.

In the end, when we are happy with our choice, and ready to face the consequences, that is the real freedom.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC.
Expected publication, June 2024.
Translated from Portuguese by Zoe Perry

New fave alert! I always struggle to write reviews for books that I really love- I know when a book has truly touched me, that I'll think of it often, and recommend it- and this novel is exactly that. An engrossing and affecting novel, seamlessly weaving together a historical and a modern timeline (something I usually don't enjoy, however the dual timeline was established wonderfully here). The Curse of the Flores Women was a story of female struggle and demonstrated generations of women struggling with the expectations placed on them by marriage and the expectations from the inhabitants of their small town. And lacemaking! I'll always enjoy a book in which I can learn a little about an activity that interests me and I know little about. 6/5 stars.

English translation from the Portuguese. The premise was interesting—lacemakers in Brazil using their designs as code. I didn’t like the characters at all—felt they were shallow and Alice’s tie in was tenuous.

Beautifully written. I was invested after the first few pages. Lopes crafted great characters, and I found the story very entertaining. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this book and the varying timelines; although I would have preferred to have more focus on the curse itself. I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends

The Curse of the Flores Women is a stunning and tragic story as told through two narratives separated by nearly 100 years, though intrinsically connected.
The story touches on the challenges that women face, both historically and in the modern era; as well as the strength that is found by witnessing the struggle against oppression.
The characters of the teenage girls and young women in the fictional small town of Bom Retiro in 1918 are as lively and relatable as Alice in 2010.
I particularly enjoyed the use of lace coding and the concept of an unfinished history being revisited and adapted by the retrospect only time can provide.
I am very grateful to have been given access to this translated ARC by Amazon Crossing.

I’m a sucker for cultural novels so this was right up my alley. The book brings to light topics such as female oppression, feminism and the long lasting bond of friendship.

It goes back in forth in time. The year is 1918 and the Flores women have been cursed for seven generations. They are not lucky in love and any man that comes into their lives, dies. In order to survive and fend for themselves, they learn the art of lacemaking and become the most popular lace makers in Brazil.

Eugenia is one of the lacemakers who is in an arranged marriage and hates it. Soon after the wedding, she starts planning her escape. She starts a new tradition where she writes messages on the lace she stitches by using a code. This will ensure safe communicating between her and her friends without getting caught by her husband.

The year is 2010. Alice is an 18 years old feminist that inherits a family heirloom – a veil which contains a story stitched in code. She cracks the code and is immediately drawn to her family’s history. She begins to ask questions about her roots. She visits the town where her great great grandmother lived and meets one of the original lacemakers who reveals how her ancestors made their voices heard through their lacemaking.

I give the book 5 stars because it was beautifully written and I loved the story line. The title, however, is a little misleading. I was expecting to learn more about the curse and the Flores women but the bulk of the book was Eugenia’s story. Regardless of that, I enjoyed it very much.

This novel is split between modern day and historic Brazil weaves together a story of family whose history of lacemaking is lost overtime. Alice, the modern representative of the Flores family, is given an heirloom from a long lost relative that calls her to dig into the history of her family. Intermixed with Alice’s story is that of her ancestors who used lacemaking in pursuit of financial independence. A curse on the family looms over their lives and they seek happiness amidst tragedy.

It’s a tragic, but beautiful story of enduring bonds of women and family. The Curse of the Flores Women was hard to put down! As a birder, I appreciated the callbacks and accuracy of birds in Brazil as they used birds to explain colors to a blind character. Lopes weaves together a variety of themes of crafts, family, domestic violence, mythology, and code creation for this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Crossing for providing this ARC for my unbiased and fair review.