The Goddesses of Brazil

by Kazuko Nishimura

Brazil… a discovery shrouded in mystery, a colonization stained with slavery. In March 1500, the Portuguese Conquistador, Pedro Á lvares Cabral , is in command of a fleet, the size of which has never before been dared by a European power. Sponsored by King Manuel I, the endeavor heads to India to set up a trading port for Portugal and bring back coveted spices. Though Cabral returns with much more than that. He discovers a huge land farther west, which is eventually named Brazil . The land is fertile and populated by natives who resist being enslaved and put up a fight to keep their freedom. The Jews, the first migrants, introduced Brazil to the hugely profitable sugar agroindustry. Alas, the long arm of the Inquisition of Europe extends to its American colony and cannot behold beyond extermination of the heretics. People are castigated, burnt at the stake because they worship a different God. Brazil’s natural resources are exploited by the French, Dutch, and English. Portugal applies its African model to protect its sovereignty and colonize Brazil, ultimately, importing a huge number of black slaves from Africa as labor. The blacks fight chains and manacles and set up the legendary Quilombo dos Palmares —a sanctuary for the Maroons, a hugely successful settlement that defies the Crown’s regime. It proves hard work cannot be motivated by pain, freedom fosters progress and its democratic political organization does not need the King of Portugal. Palmares and its leader— Zumbi —must be destroyed at any cost. How far is the Crown willing to go to achieve its objective?

290 pages, Paperback

Published August 21, 2020

About the author

I’m a Historical Fiction Author. My family hails from the Land of the Rising Sun, though, I am based in the UK, where I have lived for the past twenty years. I am an Economics graduate and have worked for over twenty years in finance and IT. I have lived in four countries – UK, Switzerland, Japan & Brazil. Am I blessed? Yes, I believe I am. Acquiring the knowledge of different cultures and customs made me a better person. I believe that ignorance is the root of bigotry and tradition is the living treasure of peoples’ history and heritage. Every country has a history that is compelling, every culture carries a unique heritage and they deserve to be respected.

History is my passion. My bookshelves (and kindle) are stuffed with historical books and historical fiction novels. I love travelling too. I travel around the world (workload permitting) and my destinations are usually chosen after I finish reading an absorbing historical (fiction or non fiction) book. I started writing when I was a child and continued through adulthood. After many trials and errors, I believe I made my narratives good enough to share them with other people. Yet reading and writing helped me to deal with problems at difficult times. One can call it escapism, but reading or writing words can never become a harmful addiction. I wrote “The Goddesses of Japan” in memory of my late father. When I was seven years old, he used to read the stories of the Creation and Ancient Japan to me at bed times and I got hooked to them. I hope my readers enjoy reading my books, as much as I enjoy writing them

Reviews

[Herman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Goddesses of Brazil by Kazujo Nishimura, first thing I want to tell you about this story is it’s quality is excellent I give this five stars. This was a shot in the dark didn’t know anything about it other than it sounded interesting. Wanting to read more about South America I found this book and glad I did. Mr Nishimura ties three different stories starting with the very first native woman Guaibimpará of the Tupinambás tribe to sail to Europe. That story is followed by one focused on the Religious persecution of Jews by the Portuguese Inquisition. Then a very moving multi-generational story about the very brutal slave economy and the fight by Maroons and others trying to fight for their freedom and survival in jungle fortress of Quilombo dos Palmares. A excellent historical fiction, the stories loosely tie together and vividly paints a brutal picture of Early European enslavement of Brazil. Very well written five stars have to read more from this author.

[Marina Costa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goddesses of Brazil

by Kazuko Nishimura

Amazon, 2020

ISBN 9798674679752

290 pages

I received a free copy of this book from the author, in exchange for a honest review, and I found out that I enjoyed this book even more than I had expected in the beginning, taking into account all my fascination for Latin America. When opening it, I expected to read more about Candomble, the Brazilian form of Santeria, and its goddesses: Iemanja, Oxum and the others.

It was way much more interesting than what I had expected: a well-documented historical book, Goddesses of Brazil depicts the first two centuries of the conquest of Brazil by the Portuguese (1500s- 1600s).

The main character who tells the story is Guaibimpará, the daughter of the Chief of Tupinambá tribe, baptized by the Christians as Catarina Álvares Paraguaçú, a woman with a memorable life in those times, who had known the life before and after the arrival of the conquerors. She fell in love with one of the Portuguese, Diogo Álvares Correa, named by the Natives Caramuru, becoming the first Native woman of that area to cross the Atlantic Ocean to Portugal and return to her people, to spread Christianism and also literacy among the Natives.

There are other characters telling their stories as well, in an intricately woven tapestry of those times, such as the marrana Branca Dias of Sao Tome, wrongly condemned by the Inquisition, who had to run away to Brazil with her children, the missionary priest, the black slaves and others, for you to discover. Their stories are raw, true to the period, depicting slavery, racism and other issues without sugarcoating.

Kazuko Nishimura has thoroughly researched multiple aspects of the life in Brazil, bringing to life an interesting historical fiction novel, recommended to the readers who enjoyed Ines of my soul by Isabel Allende, Inca series by Antoine B. Daniel, Montezuma’s daughter by Henry Rider Haggard.

The book is available on Amazon. You can learn more about the author and fall in love with her writing on her website and on her FB page.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite interesting as it tells the story of Portuguese colonization in Brazil. The story is divided into parts, following a handful of women and their experiences during the 1500s, at the time when Europeans "discovered" Brazil. I appreciate that the story is being told by these women and that the novel offers the ability to show colonization from a view we don't always have access to based on the ideology of the past. I also think that the addition of travelling to Europe and the impact that would have had on women who had been captured was a really important storyline that the author included.

That being said, I felt that unfortunately this story didn't quite live up to its potential. The writing was detailed and at times interesting, but there were also some lulls. I also couldn't really follow some of the underworld chapters, though I can appreciate that the author was likely trying to bring in the culture and history of people in Brazil at that time. Finally, I found the section about the nun dying but somehow she learned how to read a bible herself at a time when literacy rates in Europe were estimated between 11-40% for women a little far-fetched.

In general, the premise of the book and the writing were interesting and give a unique perspective, but it didn't quite meet my expectations. I do think that anyone interesting in colonization and historical fictions should give this one a shot as there are definitely some important ideas for readers to consider.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just say I love love love love this all out there is books I love the beautiful way she writes I love the beautiful story she tells that are always steep and historical events I just love her but with “the goddesses of Brazil“ this should be an instant classic I love the story arc but the word of mouth history that was told in the story was just as beautiful. I can’t say enough about this authors books I just love them so much! The only sad thing about this is that now I have to wait until the next book! Love the goddesses of Brazil! I received this book from Booksprout and the author but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Juliana Cotrin Sobreiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a fantastic, interesting story mixing real, fictitious and Brazilian mythological characters that contributed for the construction of Brazilian history. The author uses a kind of language that makes us almost feel what those characters at each and every scene. It made me curious to know what would happen in the next chapters.

I've reviewed an ARC of this book. All the opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Patty Mele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I overall thought this book was a very good book and in fact I read it from the very beginning to the very end.

I thought the story line was a good fit and this is in my opinion.

I thought the characters were very vital to the story in my opinion.

I got this book for free, with an honest review freely given.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can tell with every book that research has been done into what culture the author is writing about. The tale of what these people went through and the European colonizers was just a can't put down story. I can't wait to see where this author goes next.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about the discovery of Brazil.
How such a beautiful country is exploited for is spices ,Sugar and slaves .
Told well ,very interesting a a good read.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful and powerful read which can make you think of the other side of things. Great read

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freedom has a cost

Lots to absorb. With the changes to world , youth raising their voices this book shows it has been a long pursuit to obtain and keep.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caught my attention and has kept it from page 1. I didn’t know Brazil had such a compelling and beautiful history. Amazing detail that has obviously been researched very well. Just as good, if not better than the 1st book.

[Marcia Vida · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical fiction captivated me from the get-go, evoking a deep sense of pride and awe for my country. The author's impeccable storytelling skills brought our history to life so vividly that I felt like I was watching an epic movie.

The story unfolds in four compelling moments, painting a unique tapestry of Brazil's history. Pedro Alvares Cabral's arrival and the encounters with Guaibimpará of the Tupinambás tribe begin narrating the events that shape the nation. Then, it shifts to the gripping tale of Branca Dias, who escaped Portugal's Inquisition.

The following section explores the harsh realities of black labour through Aqualtune's view, a breeder slave at a sugar mill who exposes the dehumanizing treatment of her people. Lastly, a woman's perspective summarizes the country's turbulent past and indomitable spirit.

This book reminded my Brazil History classes when I was at school. The author interestingly mentioned historical facts that make you reflect on invasion, slavery, intolerance, religious ignorance and other subjects.

"I am a goddess, a pioneer, a mother, a lover, a warrior, a queen - simply, I am a woman." A great ending that shows a nation's richness from their ancestors shared to their generations. Humbly, she apologized for her lack of manners and deep knowledge. Anyway, she showed her thoughts about it.

A worthwhile and empathetic read, this book makes an excellent choice for adoption in schools. In addition to its powerful message, the text is beautifully clear and easy to understand.

Try it out.

I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Katheyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kazuko Nishimura’s “The Goddesses of Brazil” the second book on his “The Goddesses of the World” series offers a fantastic overview on the history of Brazil from the arrival of the Portuguese conquistador Pedro Álvares Cabral in the early 1500s until the end of the 1600s.

After reading previous Nishimura’s book in the series (The Goddesses of Japan) I had high expectations, while somehow being curious about his understanding of old Amerindian mythology. I knew for a fact that Nishimura-san is without doubt a Japan erudite, what I – to my most utterly embarrassment - did not know before reading this book, was that Nishimura has lived in Brazil and has a deep understanding of the country, which flows seamlessly in the narrative.

“The Goddesses of Brazil” is a wonderful blend of historical facts and very well-crafted fiction that offers a fantastic (and highly accurate) overview of Brazil’s history on the first two centuries after the conquest of the country; the lost of identity, the subjugation of the autochthone population by the Portuguese, the utterly horror of slavery. All of them embedded into a very interesting story, well-written, extremely good researched, beautifully crafted and historical accurate book.

A clear recommendation for every reader who enjoys a good accurate historical tale, that never becomes overwhelming. Already looking forward to any further installment in the series.