In this captivating contemporary account, Susan and Fred Brems offer insightful perspective into a little-known enclave of Northeast Brazil in the state of Cear. Through a series of letters penned over the 17 months they spent in the back country during 1989 and 1990, they describe their work and life, Susan as a researcher on fertility and health among rural women and Fred as a high-school teacher and mentor.
The intimate and anecdotal letters shine a comprehensive light on the socioeconomic and political landscape of Brazil in the early 1990s; the everyday lives and struggles of the people who lived and worked there; and the Brems couple's own experiences as residents of such a community. The stark differences between Northeast Brazilian and American cultures are illustrated with deference, humor and more than a touch of self-reflection, a read both fascinating and educational.