Translated into English for the first time, this International
bestseller is a stunning work of great literary merit. Deeply moving, it tells
the story of the highly intelligent but mischievous prankster Zeze, whose
tremendous capacity for kindness, is matched only by his naughtiness. He pays
for this naughtiness with severe beatings from his family members.
Zeze longs for tenderness. His mother is always
absent, working to keep the family alive. His father is angry and distant, the
result of being unemployed for ages. Zeze replaces what he doesn’t have with a
fierce imagination; a creative ability to hear trees talk, to create imaginary
friends, and to spin stories to entertain his beloved younger brother, King
Louis.
When Zeze finally meets someone who recognizes his
pureness of heart and abounding gifts, life has meaning at last.
This classic children’s book has never been out of
print in Brazil since it was first published in 1968. It is set in a shanty
town and tells of the author’s childhood in Rio de Janeiro, of their abject
poverty, lack, and dreams that won’t die. It is relayed in first person,
through a five year old voice. It exposes unreservedly the inhumanness of
poverty, the human need for tenderness and kindness, and the search for a
reason to go on living when hope is lost. It’s an unforgettable book that will
nestle in your heart permanently.
The story’s mixture of overwhelming sadness and joy, keeps the
reader transfixed. Zeze’s incredible philosophical way of viewing the world,
and his sharp wit, will keep you smiling and turning the pages, while wiping
tears from your eyes.
This is one of the most emotive works I have read
in years. We can celebrate its translation into English, for having read it, I
realize what the English speaking world has been missing out on with its till
now, inaccessibility.
Title:
My Sweet Orange Tree
Author:
Jose Mauro De Vasconcelos
Publisher:
Allen & Unwin, $18.99
Publication
Date: January 2018
Format:
Hardback
ISBN:
9781782691532
For
ages: 7+
Type: Junior Non Fiction
