Portuguese Grand Prize for Literature Winner In the late 19th century, Carl Mendes, Portuguese traveller and writer, whilst in Angola, falls in love with Ana de Caminha, who was born a slave but has become one of the country's richest women. Thus starts an extraordinary adventure of romance and redemption that takes in the fortunes of the Creole bourgeoisie of Luanda as they struggle to preserve their influence in the decades between the end of the slave trade and modern colonialism. 'Powerfully rediscovers the brutal and fascinating world of mulatto Africa' - El Pais

Translated by: Daniel Hahn