'buying brazil' provides first hand insight into the tumultuous period immediately after brazil's military dictatorship returned the country to civilian control. the story is brilliantly told through the lives and love of two fascinating young people; beguiling, complex brazilian alana and handsome, urbane british carl struggling to build a future together in this period of near paralyzing uncertainty. their struggle casts light into murky political shadows revealing the threatening creature that survived the myth of re-democratization and threatens their lives. the seemingly limitless energy of brazil's leading city, são paulo, will immerse you in the story while drawing upon the country's exotic history and the full sensual life driving its people to new heights only to fall prey, as many do, to their own fears. recognizing brazil is different in so many ways the story becomes layered and dangerous as it pulls you in deeper while remaining real, as real as today's headlines filled with hopes, the fear of failure and violent death. 'buying brazil' places you at a sidewalk table in front of a fashionable café surrounded by many of the world's most desired designer boutiques. all the tempting richness and beauty of life pass just beyond your fingertips. you will be tempted to reach out. then, something from deep within whispers 'take care, perhaps all is not as it seems'. you are very wise to consider risk. brazil and brazilians can be temptingly beautiful but life there can be very fragile. enjoy the story's broad scope, it's complex captivating characters and it's uniquely tantalizing brazilian setting. do so while considering whether you want to experience all that brazilian reality has to offer particularly if like alana and carl you undertake 'buying brazil'. 'small press book watch' described 'buying brazil' as "inherently fascinating and unfailingly entertaining"; surely you will agree.