The Seamstress

<p>Winner of the Friends of American Writers Award for Fiction</p><p>As seamstresses the young sisters Emília and Luzia dos Santos know how to cut mend and conceal--useful skills in the lawless backcountry of Brazil where ruthless land barons feud with bands of outlaw <em>cangaceiros</em> trapping innocent residents in the crossfire. Emília a naive romantic dreams of falling in love with a gentleman and escaping to a big city. Quick-tempered Luzia also longs for escape finding it in her craft and secret prayers to the saints she believes once saved her life. But when Luzia is abducted by <em>cangaceiros</em> led by the infamous Hawk and Emília stumbles into a marriage with the son of a wealthy and politically powerful doctor the sisters' quiet lives diverge in ways they never would have imagined. </p>