My Sweet Orange Tree A story through the eyes of a child

 

    My Beautiful Orange Tree The novel is beautifully titled. Attractive It tells a story about a young brazilian child who is told on the tongue as he grows up. The novel had me laughing in many ways (I'm really laughing!) I think it was perhaps because of its translation which was a great success. The general pattern was dramatic, punctuated by a sense of humour created by situations, their only blemish, and perhaps just for me, a lack of philosophic phrases! And the dark comedy, even if its character and overall atmosphere are very appropriate, does not diminish its value. It remains an enjoyable novel to read.

    The 5 year old lives with parents and five sisters in the city of Banco- Rio de Janiero in Brazil. The story starts when Zizi's father lost his job and the family was forced to relocate to a smaller home. A few trees surrounded her new home and soon after, Zeze's sister, Gloria, and brother, Totoc, claimed the mango- and the tamarine-tree for themselves. Gloria suggested Zeze go to the back yard to check if he could find a tree of his own. When he discovers a sweet orange sapling, it turns into Zeze's own tree that he calls a "pinkie," a friend he can interact with and share his secrets with.

    Despite his poverty and hardships Zeze forges an improbable friendship with a shiny big car driver, Manuel valadares who gives him the nickname Portuga. Zeze is more mature than his younger days. His new friendship gradually enables him to learn new things, and as his confidence and fondness for Portugal grows Zeze starts to feel lucky. But, sadly, Zeze's world is hit by unexpected tragedy, which causes it to fall apart and shakes him to his core. Will it be possible for him to overcome his pain and regain a new sense of understanding with the family in order to regain confidence and love?

    Mauro says on the front page that it is "a story about a young boy who discovers pain," and only in the final part of his book does the reader feel the full force of those words. The comical scenes created by the lovely young narrator with a keen sense for fun and nonsense make Die Maske a coming of age melodrama.

    The smooth initial tempo builds up powerfully in the course of the book. Who could fail to be appalled by the mistreatment suffered by Zizy as a result of the beating he suffered from his family and which bears no relation to the offences he committed. Explaining why he's so bad, he said: 'I'm worthlessness, I'm really bad. Therefore, the Devil who was born on Christmas day was not the Child Jesus and I did not receive a single gift. I'm a plague, Sir. A nuisance. A dog. A mean one." "My sweet orange tree is a book that's going to make you smile and weep - it's a powerful play that will keep you going long after the final page has been completed," she said.