The Many Wonders of Costa Contente

by Kate McVaugh

There's a small town on the South America coast where the sweet sea air mixes with fragrant tropical blossoms. It's a place where the neighbors are kind, the parrots are helpful, and wonders abound in everyday life. It's in this town of Costa Contente that you'll find Dona Gloria and her husband Berto, proprietors of the Casa de Everything & Anything. It's in their home that you'll meet Solange, the young traveler they've welcomed into their lives. Just across the way is the Taverna Amore and its owner Gilberto. And Dona Immaculada is not far away, ready with a potion or bit of insight to soothe a broken heart or ease a sore back. When the drought lasts longer than anyone expected, the citizens of Costa Contente rally together to save their parched town. When the ghost of Don Mateo becomes restless after outsiders attempt to decimate his family's land, a meeting is called at the tavern. Working together, the townspeople always come up with a plan to overcome any obstacle, large or small. Careful thought, hard work, and just that little bit of the magical assure that Costa Contente will continue to thrive for its people and the land on which it rests

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 11, 2013

About the author

Kate McVaugh writes fast-paced, fun-filled adventures, mysteries, and literary fiction. All are set in foreign countries where she has lived, worked, and traveled.

She grew up in the cold, foggy San Francisco Bay Area, but always felt that she should be living somewhere else. Preferably in a hot, tropical climate, exploring the culture and learning the language.

A two-year stint with the Peace Corps in Brazil is where she first fulfilled that desire for international adventure. From there, she went on to work as an educator both in the US and abroad. Except, that is, when she required a break from the profession. She found her respite while working in bars and running nightclubs.

Kate is also a travel essayist whose work has appeared in Lonely Planet.

Contact: McVaugh.books@gmail.com

Reviews

[Kendall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an episodic novel about things that happen to the inhabitants of a small, sleepy, Brazilian town by the sea. There are no white-knucle moments or OSS (the Obligatory Sex Scene publishers sometimes require). What it has are ordinary people (for the most part) who live, work, and support each other and the town slowly progresses. Oh, and there's smidgen of the 'magical realism' South American writers like. It isn't a great book, but it is a feel-good book and if you listen to its message there's a good chance you'll be a better person.

[Francene Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book sitting on my Kindle for ages and when I finally got around to reading it on the weekend I could have kicked myself for leaving it for so long. The Many Wonders of Costa Contente is a truly delightful and refreshing read. It opens with Solange, a young girl who is all alone in the world, arriving in Costa Contente to start a new life. The locals soon adopt her as one of their own and over the course of many years we learn about Solange's story and those of the many other colourful characters in town.

This book is set in modern times but there's something timeless about the characters and their stories. They read almost like fables which works very well in this old society with a strong tradition of storytelling. I loved the touches of magic and other-worldliness and I became very attached to the main characters. The writing flows beautifully and I was sorry to leave this world when I finished. If you want something to lift your spirits and put a smile on your face then I recommend that you linger in Costa Contente for a while. You won't regret it.