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Jungle of Ashes
Not yet published
Expected 19 May 26Step into the lush, dangerous world of the Amazon in this sweeping historical novel brought vividly to life by acclaimed narrator Caroline Hewitt, whose captivating performances include The Rhino Keeper, The Porcelain Menagerie, and The Choir.
In 1928, industrial titan Henry Ford launched an audacious experiment deep in the Brazilian Fordlandia, a company town meant to produce rubber for the Ford Motor Company and prove that American industry could tame the jungle. Instead, the dream spiraled into cultural conflict, ecological disaster, and human tragedy.
Seventeen-year-old Joanna Rogge arrives in the Amazon after her father accepts a management position at the ambitious plantation. Far from the rigid expectations of her life in Michigan, Joanna is captivated by the beauty and danger of the rainforest—and by Rafael Caetano, a talented Brazilian mechanic with ambitions of his own.
As Fordlandia begins to unravel—crops fail, fevers spread, and tensions rise between American managers and Brazilian workers—Joanna and Rafael are drawn into a forbidden romance that challenges the rigid rules of class, culture, and corporate control. When unrest and revolution threaten everything around them, they must decide what they are willing to risk for truth, survival, and love.
With Caroline Hewitt’s immersive narration guiding listeners through the sights, sounds, and dangers of the Amazon, Jungle of Ashes becomes an unforgettable listening experience. Rich in historical detail and emotional depth, this powerful novel explores the cost of empire, the clash of cultures, and the enduring strength of the human heart.
In 1928, industrial titan Henry Ford launched an audacious experiment deep in the Brazilian Fordlandia, a company town meant to produce rubber for the Ford Motor Company and prove that American industry could tame the jungle. Instead, the dream spiraled into cultural conflict, ecological disaster, and human tragedy.
Seventeen-year-old Joanna Rogge arrives in the Amazon after her father accepts a management position at the ambitious plantation. Far from the rigid expectations of her life in Michigan, Joanna is captivated by the beauty and danger of the rainforest—and by Rafael Caetano, a talented Brazilian mechanic with ambitions of his own.
As Fordlandia begins to unravel—crops fail, fevers spread, and tensions rise between American managers and Brazilian workers—Joanna and Rafael are drawn into a forbidden romance that challenges the rigid rules of class, culture, and corporate control. When unrest and revolution threaten everything around them, they must decide what they are willing to risk for truth, survival, and love.
With Caroline Hewitt’s immersive narration guiding listeners through the sights, sounds, and dangers of the Amazon, Jungle of Ashes becomes an unforgettable listening experience. Rich in historical detail and emotional depth, this powerful novel explores the cost of empire, the clash of cultures, and the enduring strength of the human heart.
Audible Audio
Expected publication May 19, 2026
10 people are currently reading
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About the author
Brynn Barineau
2 books68 followersOriginally from Atlanta, Georgia, Brynn Barineau graduated from American University with a bachelor’s in international studies and master’s in international communication. She moved to her husband’s native Rio de Janeiro after college with too many sweaters and not enough Portuguese and began writing as a way to process life in a new country. Her fiction is rooted in the power and possibilities of relationships across cultures. She’s now back in Atlanta rediscovering her hometown with her Brazilian-American family.
If she's not writing, Brynn is probably out walking her rescue dogs to the coffee shop to have a third morning coffee and chocolate croissant.
If she's not writing, Brynn is probably out walking her rescue dogs to the coffee shop to have a third morning coffee and chocolate croissant.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
April 13, 2026
JUNGLE OF ASHES
By Brynn Barineau
Narrated by Caroline Hewitt
A historical novel centered on Henry Ford’s ambitious but ultimately failed 1928 Fordlândia project, where he attempted to cultivate rubber in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil.
Seventeen-year-old Joanna is uprooted from Michigan to the jungles of Brazil when her father is sent there to oversee the project. Through her eyes, we see the clash of cultures, the collapse of Fordlandia, and the human cost of ambition—along with a forbidden love that forces her to question everything she believed.
I didn’t know anything about Ford’s attempt to grow rubber in the Amazon. The Ford Company didn’t fail—so how did this project fail? That alone pulled me in.
I was a bit apprehensive at first since I hadn’t heard of the book or the author, but the summary and cover drew me in—and I’m so glad I paired the book with the audio. It made for the perfect experience.
The writing is straightforward, and the jungle setting—with its ominous undertone—was easy to envision and completely immersive from beginning to end. When an author can transport me to another time and place and make me feel like I’m right there, I know I’m in for a good read.
The narration by Caroline Hewitt was excellent and truly captured the tone and emotion of the story. A perfect companion to the eARC.
Thank you to History Through Fiction for the ARC and NetGalley for the ALC.
By Brynn Barineau
Narrated by Caroline Hewitt
A historical novel centered on Henry Ford’s ambitious but ultimately failed 1928 Fordlândia project, where he attempted to cultivate rubber in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil.
Seventeen-year-old Joanna is uprooted from Michigan to the jungles of Brazil when her father is sent there to oversee the project. Through her eyes, we see the clash of cultures, the collapse of Fordlandia, and the human cost of ambition—along with a forbidden love that forces her to question everything she believed.
I didn’t know anything about Ford’s attempt to grow rubber in the Amazon. The Ford Company didn’t fail—so how did this project fail? That alone pulled me in.
I was a bit apprehensive at first since I hadn’t heard of the book or the author, but the summary and cover drew me in—and I’m so glad I paired the book with the audio. It made for the perfect experience.
The writing is straightforward, and the jungle setting—with its ominous undertone—was easy to envision and completely immersive from beginning to end. When an author can transport me to another time and place and make me feel like I’m right there, I know I’m in for a good read.
The narration by Caroline Hewitt was excellent and truly captured the tone and emotion of the story. A perfect companion to the eARC.
Thank you to History Through Fiction for the ARC and NetGalley for the ALC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Let me just start by saying the narrator, Carolyn Hewitt, did a fantastic job with multiple voices let alone multiple genders and multiple nationalities. This story kept me interested the entire time, the FMC, while naive, is one that you want to succeed. You appreciate her growth as she navigates a whole new world and realizes her privilege, her father isn’t flawless, and she can overcome impossible odds. This fictional story was based on true events, making it easy to engage with as you want to know and learn more about this time in history. I received a complimentary copy of this book from History Through Fiction via NetGalley and this is my honest review.
February 25, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for getting an advanced audiobook. It was very well written, kept my attention and did not hold back. I was very impressed with the storyline and loved hearing the story from two points of view. Forbidden romance, 1920s theme, what happens when you put an American in the middle of nowhere? I throughly enjoyed this novel. Thank you to the author and again NetGalley!
May 6, 2026
Read this book! A beautiful and lush portrayal of a setting and time that was unknown to me. I was immediately reminded of The Poisonwood Bible with the themes of family/parents and children in a new world and how they each deal with it. What struck me most were the astute observations about men and fathers—Joana and Rafael’s dads are both products of their time and place but remained sympathetic. Of course for me the historical part is the backdrop and inside it sits a love story and a coming of age story. Amazingly crafted and deep. And I loved the ending, epilogue and author’s note!!
April 6, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy.
This book didn’t have me at the edge of my seat but it was still a solid read. I do enjoy reading about corporate history and this was a bit of history that I had never paid attention to before, but will stick me.
For fans of Historical fiction and corporate history this is definitely worth the read. Intriguing setting and enjoyed going along with Joanna’s journey.
This book didn’t have me at the edge of my seat but it was still a solid read. I do enjoy reading about corporate history and this was a bit of history that I had never paid attention to before, but will stick me.
For fans of Historical fiction and corporate history this is definitely worth the read. Intriguing setting and enjoyed going along with Joanna’s journey.
March 21, 2026
I was so excited to get early access to this book. I really enjoyed Brynn’s first book and this one did not disappoint. The Amazon forest setting is so lush and vivid and I absolutely loved Jo and Rafa’s characters. They’re both so young and full of hope at the start and then forced to grow up and experience the realities of life around them. The ending was not the one I wanted but it was definitely the one that was needed and I’m so glad that Jo got to live out her dreams. I learned a lot about the Fordlandia project while I was reading this too and I really enjoyed the experience
February 28, 2026
Jungle of Ashes
By Brynn Barineau
Historical Fiction
ARC from History Through Fiction
It is the Henry Ford era and he has decided to build a town in the Amazon to harvest rubber trees for his company. Michigan teenager, Joanna, is excited when her father takes a job at this location as a manager. When she finally arrives in the Amazon with her parents, Joanna makes friends and learns valuable life lessons.
My rating: 5⭐️
I really enjoyed this story! I had never heard about Fordlândia or rubber trees, so learning about this endeavor took me on a mental journey I was not expecting. It was a pleasant surprise!
By Brynn Barineau
Historical Fiction
ARC from History Through Fiction
It is the Henry Ford era and he has decided to build a town in the Amazon to harvest rubber trees for his company. Michigan teenager, Joanna, is excited when her father takes a job at this location as a manager. When she finally arrives in the Amazon with her parents, Joanna makes friends and learns valuable life lessons.
My rating: 5⭐️
I really enjoyed this story! I had never heard about Fordlândia or rubber trees, so learning about this endeavor took me on a mental journey I was not expecting. It was a pleasant surprise!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What an incredible story! Utterly fascinating historical fiction, presented seamlessly without info-dumping or paragraphs of character exposition. Intermittent messages (telegraphs?) between the Fordlandia and Dearborn Ford offices are a clever and concise way to keep us up to speed on the big picture while ground-level human stories progress.
Some of Barineau's strongest writing (in my opinion) is in the action sequences, whether that's the midpoint drama, the gripping (yes, I am really, non-ironically using that word in a review) climax, or even just the anxiety of a character having no choice but to silently witness big shots make really dumb decisions really quickly.
The characters are standouts, too, even the supporting characters, and especially the mothers and siblings, which made a mid-point reality-based event particularly hard to bear. Joanna and Rafe were each wonderful characters who I would have loved to follow even on their own, though of course having both points of view--American and Brazilian--opened up Fordlandia to us. I especially appreciated Jo's mother, who seems like a stick in the mud at first. Her personality actually doesn't change, but Jo's understanding, perspective, and ultimate appreciation of her mother's personality do. There's a bit less nuance for her dad, but it's refreshing that there really aren't any obvious villains doing bad because they like it. These rich Americans genuinely thought they were doing something amazing and that it would just happen, and happen right, right away.
With all that said, I do wish the romance between Joanna and Rafa had a little more time for slow moments. There was a point in the book that just stated that they enjoyed talking about their respective homes, and while I totally understand not wanting to bog down the narrative, I do wish we could have "listened in" on one or two of those conversations that aren't directly related to the plot. But I also understand why an author/editor wouldn't want to slow down the pace with irrelevant details, so...
Despite a few things that didn't work for me personally, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to readers of historical fiction who are especially into the history. Barineau captures the time and place incredibly well, at least as far as I can tell. When I looked up images of Fordlandia after finishing the book, the images in my head lined up with reality more closely than usual.
Quote Roundup
p. 26-27) " I simply prefer to assume that the worst will happen, so that I'm prepared to deal with the consequences if it does." The confession took Joanna aback. She'd done the same thing for the past months. It hadn't occurred to her that her mother would have a similar means of coping.
I loved that Joanna had this insight so early on, and that it opened up the way for Joanna's mother to not be either a total opposition or a (completely) surprise softie at the end.
Whew. It's about dang time I got this posted! Happy reading!
Some of Barineau's strongest writing (in my opinion) is in the action sequences, whether that's the midpoint drama, the gripping (yes, I am really, non-ironically using that word in a review) climax, or even just the anxiety of a character having no choice but to silently witness big shots make really dumb decisions really quickly.
The characters are standouts, too, even the supporting characters, and especially the mothers and siblings, which made a mid-point reality-based event particularly hard to bear. Joanna and Rafe were each wonderful characters who I would have loved to follow even on their own, though of course having both points of view--American and Brazilian--opened up Fordlandia to us. I especially appreciated Jo's mother, who seems like a stick in the mud at first. Her personality actually doesn't change, but Jo's understanding, perspective, and ultimate appreciation of her mother's personality do. There's a bit less nuance for her dad, but it's refreshing that there really aren't any obvious villains doing bad because they like it. These rich Americans genuinely thought they were doing something amazing and that it would just happen, and happen right, right away.
With all that said, I do wish the romance between Joanna and Rafa had a little more time for slow moments. There was a point in the book that just stated that they enjoyed talking about their respective homes, and while I totally understand not wanting to bog down the narrative, I do wish we could have "listened in" on one or two of those conversations that aren't directly related to the plot. But I also understand why an author/editor wouldn't want to slow down the pace with irrelevant details, so...
Despite a few things that didn't work for me personally, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to readers of historical fiction who are especially into the history. Barineau captures the time and place incredibly well, at least as far as I can tell. When I looked up images of Fordlandia after finishing the book, the images in my head lined up with reality more closely than usual.
Quote Roundup
p. 26-27) " I simply prefer to assume that the worst will happen, so that I'm prepared to deal with the consequences if it does." The confession took Joanna aback. She'd done the same thing for the past months. It hadn't occurred to her that her mother would have a similar means of coping.
I loved that Joanna had this insight so early on, and that it opened up the way for Joanna's mother to not be either a total opposition or a (completely) surprise softie at the end.
Whew. It's about dang time I got this posted! Happy reading!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There’s a particular kind of historical fiction that doesn’t just transport you to another time - it makes you feel the weight of it pressing down on people who never asked to carry it. Jungle of Ashes is that kind of book. I knew it would be one of my top reads of 2026 before I'd even reached the halfway point.
What This Book Does Well
The most impressive thing about Jungle of Ashes is how completely it resists turning its themes into a history lecture. Everything it has to say about colonialism, corporate greed, and the arrogance of powerful men who believe money can bend the natural world - it sways through its characters. Through the small moments of a 17 year old girl realizing the world she was raised to trust is not the one she's actually living in.
Joanna is a fantastic protagonist. A natural scientist who approaches the world by observing it carefully, she's easy to root for - but Barineau doesn't let her off the hook. Jo arrives in the Amazon with her own blind spots, and watching those get dismantled slowly and painfully is one of the book's great pleasures. Her awakening feels gradual and honest rather than dramatic, which is exactly right for both her again and the time period.
Rafa is her perfect counterpart - ridiculously perceptive, quietly ambitious, and carrying the weight of promises that Ford's men are making impossible to keep. He could easily become a symbol rather than a full person, but the care Barineau brings to him, his family dynamics, and the specific texture of his disillusionment keeps him grounded throughout.
The relationship is built on intellectual respect and a shared commitment to honesty in an environment where truth is actively dangerous. The tension comes from two young people who see each other clearly and are a little terrified of what that means. Every scene between them deepens their relationship while simultaneously illuminating the world they're trapped in.
And then there's the historical reality underneath it all. Fordland is real. The hubris, the failures, the human cost - all of it happened, and Barineau handles that weight with remarkable care.
Where It May Fall Short
The thematic commentary is sharp and well-integrated, but some threads tip into repetition in places I didn't think necessary. Some of the Ford Company men are a little thinly drawn, though within the context of the story I'd argue that's intentional.
Audiobook Experience
Caroline Hewitt’s narration is excellent! She brings real emotional intelligence to both perspectives and manages the tonal shifts without overplaying. The confidence and care she brings to the Portuguese felt respectful of the material and never pulled me out of the story.
Who I Would Recommend This To
If you love historical, slow-burn romance with genuine emotional and intellectual substance, or if you’re drawn to stories that critique systems of power through deeply human relationships - you need to read this!!!
Final Thoughts & Opinions
I went into Jungle of Ashes knowing nothing about Fordlandia, and I made the deliberate choice to keep it that way until I’d finished. That decision wrecked me in the best way! There’s something uniquely gutting about getting to the end of a story - falling completely in love with it, with these people and the world that Barineau built - and then going to look it up and realizing how much of the horrors of it were real. The tragedies that happen throughout the book aren’t tossed in for dramatic effect, they really happened! And that realization somehow didn’t make the book feel bleaker, it just made it feel more important.
Raja and Jo truly swept me off my feet from their very first interaction which was hilarious and completely charged so I knew I was done for.
As someone who comes from a science background, I absolutely adored Jo, but I can already see some people thinking her flat or detached. She’s not the kind of heroine who is always leading with her emotions, but for me, that was exactly right! She’s a girl raised to be curious and analytical, who believes in reason and observation, slowly discovering that the world she applied those tools to was never going to give her the full picture when greed and exploitation are in the mix. Watching her reckon with that, while also falling for a boy who sees the truth she’s only beginning to see is delightfully devastating.
I already know that Jungle of Ashes is going to be in my top reads for 2026! The official release date is May 19th 2026 and I have already placed my pre-order so I can read it all over again!!
My thanks to NetGalley, History Through Fiction & Brynn Barineau for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
TL;DR: I'm begging you to read this book!!!!
Star Rating Breakdown
Personal Enjoyment: 5
Overall Execution: 5
Craft & Writing Quality: 5
Characters: 4.75
Plot: 5
Final Score: 4.95
What This Book Does Well
The most impressive thing about Jungle of Ashes is how completely it resists turning its themes into a history lecture. Everything it has to say about colonialism, corporate greed, and the arrogance of powerful men who believe money can bend the natural world - it sways through its characters. Through the small moments of a 17 year old girl realizing the world she was raised to trust is not the one she's actually living in.
Joanna is a fantastic protagonist. A natural scientist who approaches the world by observing it carefully, she's easy to root for - but Barineau doesn't let her off the hook. Jo arrives in the Amazon with her own blind spots, and watching those get dismantled slowly and painfully is one of the book's great pleasures. Her awakening feels gradual and honest rather than dramatic, which is exactly right for both her again and the time period.
Rafa is her perfect counterpart - ridiculously perceptive, quietly ambitious, and carrying the weight of promises that Ford's men are making impossible to keep. He could easily become a symbol rather than a full person, but the care Barineau brings to him, his family dynamics, and the specific texture of his disillusionment keeps him grounded throughout.
The relationship is built on intellectual respect and a shared commitment to honesty in an environment where truth is actively dangerous. The tension comes from two young people who see each other clearly and are a little terrified of what that means. Every scene between them deepens their relationship while simultaneously illuminating the world they're trapped in.
And then there's the historical reality underneath it all. Fordland is real. The hubris, the failures, the human cost - all of it happened, and Barineau handles that weight with remarkable care.
Where It May Fall Short
The thematic commentary is sharp and well-integrated, but some threads tip into repetition in places I didn't think necessary. Some of the Ford Company men are a little thinly drawn, though within the context of the story I'd argue that's intentional.
Audiobook Experience
Caroline Hewitt’s narration is excellent! She brings real emotional intelligence to both perspectives and manages the tonal shifts without overplaying. The confidence and care she brings to the Portuguese felt respectful of the material and never pulled me out of the story.
Who I Would Recommend This To
If you love historical, slow-burn romance with genuine emotional and intellectual substance, or if you’re drawn to stories that critique systems of power through deeply human relationships - you need to read this!!!
Final Thoughts & Opinions
I went into Jungle of Ashes knowing nothing about Fordlandia, and I made the deliberate choice to keep it that way until I’d finished. That decision wrecked me in the best way! There’s something uniquely gutting about getting to the end of a story - falling completely in love with it, with these people and the world that Barineau built - and then going to look it up and realizing how much of the horrors of it were real. The tragedies that happen throughout the book aren’t tossed in for dramatic effect, they really happened! And that realization somehow didn’t make the book feel bleaker, it just made it feel more important.
Raja and Jo truly swept me off my feet from their very first interaction which was hilarious and completely charged so I knew I was done for.
As someone who comes from a science background, I absolutely adored Jo, but I can already see some people thinking her flat or detached. She’s not the kind of heroine who is always leading with her emotions, but for me, that was exactly right! She’s a girl raised to be curious and analytical, who believes in reason and observation, slowly discovering that the world she applied those tools to was never going to give her the full picture when greed and exploitation are in the mix. Watching her reckon with that, while also falling for a boy who sees the truth she’s only beginning to see is delightfully devastating.
I already know that Jungle of Ashes is going to be in my top reads for 2026! The official release date is May 19th 2026 and I have already placed my pre-order so I can read it all over again!!
My thanks to NetGalley, History Through Fiction & Brynn Barineau for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
TL;DR: I'm begging you to read this book!!!!
Star Rating Breakdown
Personal Enjoyment: 5
Overall Execution: 5
Craft & Writing Quality: 5
Characters: 4.75
Plot: 5
Final Score: 4.95
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Henry Ford was building something no one had ever attempted before, an industrialized town in the Amazon. The Ford Company needed rubber to make tires. British explorer/botanist Henry Wickham had pilfered the precious hevea seeds that once were readily available in Santarem. By acquiring over 2 million acres of land from the Brazilian government, Ford planned to produce the rubber trees he needed.
John Rogge was a Ford man. He had worked his way up from lumberjack to his current position as manager of the largest mill in the Upper Peninsula. He spoke of Ford’s generosity-pioneering the five-dollar work day. Rogge had pride in the company's efficiency and production. He was chosen by Ford to be assistant manager of the venture in the Amazon. “No man in history had been able to harness the Amazon’s potential. But that’s what Henry Ford does, what no man ever has.” After one year in Fordlandia, Rogge’s wife and daughter joined him.
Joanna Rogge, 17 years old, couldn’t contain her excitement. “She wanted to see the meeting of the waters in Santarem. “...the dark emerald waters of the Tapajos flowed in from the west toward the clay colored waters of the Amazon…form(ing) an undulating line that stretched into the horizon…she dipped a flask first into the Amazon…a second into the Tapajos. She nestled the souvenirs in her satchel next to her journal.”
Along the riverbank, the air was heavy and thick. It was difficult to breathe. To reach the American homes at the top of the bluff, they had to walk past hundreds of open huts with hammocks lining the riverbank. The housing improved as they progressed uphill…She remembered walking past scorched trees and men lined up for work.
Set upon exploring the Amazon forest, Joanna left the five acre sector, home to the American staff. Venturing out in the darkness, without a flashlight and unaware of the danger of snakes, she was saved by Rafael. “Even one day was enough to learn that her father hadn’t been totally honest..about their progress…clearly ignorance could get a person killed here”. Rafael made sure she was safe. To Rafael, she seemed sincere but stubborn, assuming and prying with all of her questions. She even offered to help fix the stalled Ford car. He must avoid her. Time spent with her could be a danger to his family.
Rafael, presently a worker in the machine shop, was a trained mechanic. He was fixing the suspension on a vehicle needed for an American tour when he helped Joanna that night. He had dreams of building a better suspension to handle the rough and puddle filled roads, more efficient cooling systems and a hydraulic-power lift to see under cars. “The ideas came to life in the pages of (his) sketchbook…He told no one he could see things which didn’t exist…certainly not the Ford engineers with degrees and years of training on Ford factory floors.”.
As it so happened, Joanna was determined to learn Portuguese. Rafael would fill the role of teacher after his work hours. She told Rafa of her dream to study Botany. It seemed that the rubber trees were sick trees, drooping with nearly naked branches. This was not how young hevea should look. If (Rafa) crossed the threshold, Joanna would be part of his life as long as they were both at Fordlandia. They took the leap. He would take her further into the forest to find hevea specimens to study. “If her father wasn’t going to tell her the whole truth, she would use her new freedom to learn for herself how Fordlandia had gotten to this state and what, if anything, she could do to help…”
Rafa would have liked to tell John Rogge and other higher ups that they had no idea how to run Fordlandia, how a disregard for expert advice on planting rubber trees led to leaf fungus. When Joanna discussed her discoveries, her journal was tossed in the river.
To bend workers to his will, Henry Ford insisted upon strict policies including a ban on alcohol, required Saturday night square dancing and unfamiliar dietary changes. A sanitation squad visited worker homes looking for infractions.” Standardization was foundational doctrine for the Ford company.” Tensions would rise. The self -serving nature of Henry Ford would cause the disastrous demise of Fordlandia. The importance of being open to suggestions, by experts as well as employees, might have resulted in a different outcome. Treating workers the way you expect to be treated…often increases productivity.
A stellar read…Highly recommended!
Thank you Brynn Barineau and Colin Mustful@ History Through Fiction for the Print ARC in exchange for an honest review.
John Rogge was a Ford man. He had worked his way up from lumberjack to his current position as manager of the largest mill in the Upper Peninsula. He spoke of Ford’s generosity-pioneering the five-dollar work day. Rogge had pride in the company's efficiency and production. He was chosen by Ford to be assistant manager of the venture in the Amazon. “No man in history had been able to harness the Amazon’s potential. But that’s what Henry Ford does, what no man ever has.” After one year in Fordlandia, Rogge’s wife and daughter joined him.
Joanna Rogge, 17 years old, couldn’t contain her excitement. “She wanted to see the meeting of the waters in Santarem. “...the dark emerald waters of the Tapajos flowed in from the west toward the clay colored waters of the Amazon…form(ing) an undulating line that stretched into the horizon…she dipped a flask first into the Amazon…a second into the Tapajos. She nestled the souvenirs in her satchel next to her journal.”
Along the riverbank, the air was heavy and thick. It was difficult to breathe. To reach the American homes at the top of the bluff, they had to walk past hundreds of open huts with hammocks lining the riverbank. The housing improved as they progressed uphill…She remembered walking past scorched trees and men lined up for work.
Set upon exploring the Amazon forest, Joanna left the five acre sector, home to the American staff. Venturing out in the darkness, without a flashlight and unaware of the danger of snakes, she was saved by Rafael. “Even one day was enough to learn that her father hadn’t been totally honest..about their progress…clearly ignorance could get a person killed here”. Rafael made sure she was safe. To Rafael, she seemed sincere but stubborn, assuming and prying with all of her questions. She even offered to help fix the stalled Ford car. He must avoid her. Time spent with her could be a danger to his family.
Rafael, presently a worker in the machine shop, was a trained mechanic. He was fixing the suspension on a vehicle needed for an American tour when he helped Joanna that night. He had dreams of building a better suspension to handle the rough and puddle filled roads, more efficient cooling systems and a hydraulic-power lift to see under cars. “The ideas came to life in the pages of (his) sketchbook…He told no one he could see things which didn’t exist…certainly not the Ford engineers with degrees and years of training on Ford factory floors.”.
As it so happened, Joanna was determined to learn Portuguese. Rafael would fill the role of teacher after his work hours. She told Rafa of her dream to study Botany. It seemed that the rubber trees were sick trees, drooping with nearly naked branches. This was not how young hevea should look. If (Rafa) crossed the threshold, Joanna would be part of his life as long as they were both at Fordlandia. They took the leap. He would take her further into the forest to find hevea specimens to study. “If her father wasn’t going to tell her the whole truth, she would use her new freedom to learn for herself how Fordlandia had gotten to this state and what, if anything, she could do to help…”
Rafa would have liked to tell John Rogge and other higher ups that they had no idea how to run Fordlandia, how a disregard for expert advice on planting rubber trees led to leaf fungus. When Joanna discussed her discoveries, her journal was tossed in the river.
To bend workers to his will, Henry Ford insisted upon strict policies including a ban on alcohol, required Saturday night square dancing and unfamiliar dietary changes. A sanitation squad visited worker homes looking for infractions.” Standardization was foundational doctrine for the Ford company.” Tensions would rise. The self -serving nature of Henry Ford would cause the disastrous demise of Fordlandia. The importance of being open to suggestions, by experts as well as employees, might have resulted in a different outcome. Treating workers the way you expect to be treated…often increases productivity.
A stellar read…Highly recommended!
Thank you Brynn Barineau and Colin Mustful@ History Through Fiction for the Print ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Jungle of Ashes is the story of Joanna Rogge and Rafael Caetano, two idealistic, passionate individuals on a crash course with reality in one of the twentieth centuries most ambitious industrial projects. In 1928 Henry Ford bought thousands of acres in Brazil. The man who had mastered the art of the assembly line and demanded cost efficiency and precision in everything associated with his name intended to produce his own rubber. He called it Fordlandia. The only thing standing in his way was the Amazon Jungle.
I highly recommend this fictional tale of what really happened at Fordlandia nearly a century ago. As the story opens, Joanna Rogge, a naturally curious, aspiring 17-year-old from Iron Mountain, Michigan, with a love for botany arrives in Brazil with her family. Her father has just been hired as the assistant manager of Fordlandia Plantation.
Very soon she meets Rafael Caetano, an ambitious young mechanic who is working as a machinist at Fordlandia. By nature, Rafael, or Rafa, as he is also called, has the mind of an engineer. While Jo has notebooks full of drawings of plants, he has notebooks full of inventive ideas. A love story unfolds between them as he begins teaching her Portuguese, the official language of Brazil.
The novel is not a romance, however. This is a story of humans versus nature. Jo and Rafa can see Fordlandia is a disaster. The jungle is a mighty foe. No one can tame it, not even Henry Ford’s men, who are convinced man can conquer anything if they try hard enough.
However, tied to Fordlandia’s success is the success of their families, so Jo and Rafa try to find solutions: she studies why the rubber trees are dying; he tries to show men ways to use machines to tame a harsh environment. Ford’s men discount them, she because she is a woman, he because he is a native Brazilian.
Jo and Rafa are interesting choices as main characters. They’re fictional, but their fathers were real men affiliated with the project. Barineau did her homework and brought a wealth of other interesting factual elements into the story, making Jungle of Ashes a superb example of how historical fiction can entertain readers as well as bring forth important, and this case, forgotten stories from the past.
Nor do we only read about Jo and Rafa. Barineau weaves in the stories of their families and of other “Ford families.” The impact of the project on the Rogges and Caetano families is what brings the story to life and makes it so riveting. Like the classic rich man who expects the world to bow to him, Ford is a stern task master, an off-page character who sends dictates from afar.
What I found most compelling about the novel is how the author frames Henry Ford’s initiative by giving each Jo and Rafa a narrative voice. This allows for the American and the Brazilian point of view. Some might think of Fordlandia as an example of American ingenuity in the early part of the twentieth century. America was between world wars, and her influence was spreading across the globe. Others will see Fordlandia as an extreme example of hubris, a form of industrial colonialism. Because Barineau has spent time in Brazil and has ties to the culture, she is clear eyed in presenting both sides. This results in a well-rounded, believable story. She also knows the jungle, which she describes in vivid detail. The story is fast paced, drawing readers into a harsh and relentless environment where even men like Henry Ford are powerless against nature. Five stars for sure!
Thank you to the publisher for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I highly recommend this fictional tale of what really happened at Fordlandia nearly a century ago. As the story opens, Joanna Rogge, a naturally curious, aspiring 17-year-old from Iron Mountain, Michigan, with a love for botany arrives in Brazil with her family. Her father has just been hired as the assistant manager of Fordlandia Plantation.
Very soon she meets Rafael Caetano, an ambitious young mechanic who is working as a machinist at Fordlandia. By nature, Rafael, or Rafa, as he is also called, has the mind of an engineer. While Jo has notebooks full of drawings of plants, he has notebooks full of inventive ideas. A love story unfolds between them as he begins teaching her Portuguese, the official language of Brazil.
The novel is not a romance, however. This is a story of humans versus nature. Jo and Rafa can see Fordlandia is a disaster. The jungle is a mighty foe. No one can tame it, not even Henry Ford’s men, who are convinced man can conquer anything if they try hard enough.
However, tied to Fordlandia’s success is the success of their families, so Jo and Rafa try to find solutions: she studies why the rubber trees are dying; he tries to show men ways to use machines to tame a harsh environment. Ford’s men discount them, she because she is a woman, he because he is a native Brazilian.
Jo and Rafa are interesting choices as main characters. They’re fictional, but their fathers were real men affiliated with the project. Barineau did her homework and brought a wealth of other interesting factual elements into the story, making Jungle of Ashes a superb example of how historical fiction can entertain readers as well as bring forth important, and this case, forgotten stories from the past.
Nor do we only read about Jo and Rafa. Barineau weaves in the stories of their families and of other “Ford families.” The impact of the project on the Rogges and Caetano families is what brings the story to life and makes it so riveting. Like the classic rich man who expects the world to bow to him, Ford is a stern task master, an off-page character who sends dictates from afar.
What I found most compelling about the novel is how the author frames Henry Ford’s initiative by giving each Jo and Rafa a narrative voice. This allows for the American and the Brazilian point of view. Some might think of Fordlandia as an example of American ingenuity in the early part of the twentieth century. America was between world wars, and her influence was spreading across the globe. Others will see Fordlandia as an extreme example of hubris, a form of industrial colonialism. Because Barineau has spent time in Brazil and has ties to the culture, she is clear eyed in presenting both sides. This results in a well-rounded, believable story. She also knows the jungle, which she describes in vivid detail. The story is fast paced, drawing readers into a harsh and relentless environment where even men like Henry Ford are powerless against nature. Five stars for sure!
Thank you to the publisher for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2026
Jungle of Ashes by Brynn Barineau is an engaging and thoughtful work of historical fiction set against the fascinating and troubling history of Fordlandia, the ambitious Amazonian rubber plantation founded by Henry Ford in 1928. Blending romance, political tension, and historical insight, the novel explores what happens when unchecked corporate power collides with culture, environment, and human dignity.
At the center of the story is Joanna Rogge, a wonderful female main character who grows tremendously over the course of the novel. When she moves from Michigan to the Amazon after her father accepts a management position with the Ford Company, Joanna initially sees the experience as an opportunity to escape the narrow expectations placed on women in American society. Watching her evolve from a curious outsider into a young woman who learns to question authority and stand up for what she believes in is deeply satisfying. She becomes the kind of protagonist you cannot help but cheer for as she finds her voice and independence.
The novel also shines in the way it examines larger social themes. Through Joanna’s experiences, the story explores workers rights, women’s rights, and indigenous rights with nuance and care. Joanna gradually becomes aware of class consciousness as well as the unconscious bias and prejudice that shape the world around her. The book does an excellent job portraying how sexism, racism, and class divisions influence life in the company town. These realizations feel organic to her growth and add meaningful depth to the narrative.
The romance between Joanna and Rafael Caetano is another highlight. Their relationship develops naturally and never overwhelms the story. Instead, it complements Joanna’s personal journey. The novel maintains a healthy balance between falling in love and prioritizing one’s own dreams and principles. Their connection reflects the author’s description of the book as a story about “unchecked power through the eyes of star crossed lovers,” which feels like a perfect way to capture the emotional heart of the novel.
The historical setting is particularly compelling. I found it fascinating to learn about the real history of Fordlandia and how Henry Ford attempted to impose American ideals and industrial order on the Brazilian rainforest. The novel highlights just how out of touch Ford was with the realities of the land and the people who lived there. His letters to managers and his rigid vision reveal a striking lack of cultural understanding. This arrogance ultimately contributed to the failure of the entire project. The story thoughtfully examines the broader damage caused by colonial mindsets and ideas similar to Manifest Destiny while still presenting the history in an accessible and compelling way.
Barineau’s writing is descriptive and immersive, especially when portraying the lush jungle landscape. The environment feels vivid and alive throughout the story. The pacing is steady and engaging, with just enough tension and excitement to keep the pages turning without overwhelming the emotional and historical depth.
Perhaps what stayed with me most was how inspiring the story felt by the end. Joanna’s journey toward independence and moral clarity is powerful, and the conclusion was surprisingly moving. I found myself crying tears of joy as the story wrapped up and honestly did not want to say goodbye to the characters.
Overall, Jungle of Ashes is an informative, well paced historical novel that thoughtfully explores power, culture, and personal conviction. Readers who enjoy character driven historical fiction with meaningful themes will find a lot to appreciate here.
Four stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, History Through Fiction, and the author for this ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
At the center of the story is Joanna Rogge, a wonderful female main character who grows tremendously over the course of the novel. When she moves from Michigan to the Amazon after her father accepts a management position with the Ford Company, Joanna initially sees the experience as an opportunity to escape the narrow expectations placed on women in American society. Watching her evolve from a curious outsider into a young woman who learns to question authority and stand up for what she believes in is deeply satisfying. She becomes the kind of protagonist you cannot help but cheer for as she finds her voice and independence.
The novel also shines in the way it examines larger social themes. Through Joanna’s experiences, the story explores workers rights, women’s rights, and indigenous rights with nuance and care. Joanna gradually becomes aware of class consciousness as well as the unconscious bias and prejudice that shape the world around her. The book does an excellent job portraying how sexism, racism, and class divisions influence life in the company town. These realizations feel organic to her growth and add meaningful depth to the narrative.
The romance between Joanna and Rafael Caetano is another highlight. Their relationship develops naturally and never overwhelms the story. Instead, it complements Joanna’s personal journey. The novel maintains a healthy balance between falling in love and prioritizing one’s own dreams and principles. Their connection reflects the author’s description of the book as a story about “unchecked power through the eyes of star crossed lovers,” which feels like a perfect way to capture the emotional heart of the novel.
The historical setting is particularly compelling. I found it fascinating to learn about the real history of Fordlandia and how Henry Ford attempted to impose American ideals and industrial order on the Brazilian rainforest. The novel highlights just how out of touch Ford was with the realities of the land and the people who lived there. His letters to managers and his rigid vision reveal a striking lack of cultural understanding. This arrogance ultimately contributed to the failure of the entire project. The story thoughtfully examines the broader damage caused by colonial mindsets and ideas similar to Manifest Destiny while still presenting the history in an accessible and compelling way.
Barineau’s writing is descriptive and immersive, especially when portraying the lush jungle landscape. The environment feels vivid and alive throughout the story. The pacing is steady and engaging, with just enough tension and excitement to keep the pages turning without overwhelming the emotional and historical depth.
Perhaps what stayed with me most was how inspiring the story felt by the end. Joanna’s journey toward independence and moral clarity is powerful, and the conclusion was surprisingly moving. I found myself crying tears of joy as the story wrapped up and honestly did not want to say goodbye to the characters.
Overall, Jungle of Ashes is an informative, well paced historical novel that thoughtfully explores power, culture, and personal conviction. Readers who enjoy character driven historical fiction with meaningful themes will find a lot to appreciate here.
Four stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, History Through Fiction, and the author for this ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a fascinating and immersive 5-star historical fiction story.
The author describes this book as “unchecked power through the eyes of star-crossed lovers” and a kind of “Stepford in the jungle” scenario.
Most definitely!
I read with disbelief at how out of touch Henry Ford, the richest person in the world at that time, was with reality. His correspondence with the managers of Fordlandia showed that his lack of boots on the ground experience and his unwillingness to consider the culture and the land led to the downfall of his endeavor.
My favourite character was Joanna ‘Jo’ Rogge because I saw a lot of myself (and a lot of who I’d love to be) in her personality. Joanna was the daughter of the assistant manager in Fordlandia and she had an infectious curiosity. I read in awe of how she continually faced the unknown and pushed past the barriers of her discomfort. This personality was in such stark contrast to so many of the adults in her community. Where Joanna appreciated and celebrated the uniqueness of her surroundings, they pigheadedly shaped their surroundings to what made them comfortable and what they were used to back at home.
Another aspect of this story I enjoyed was the multilayered fear. Not only were the locals speaking a different language, but they looked differently, ate different foods, and valued things differently. The transplants to Fordlandia were fearful of people who were different. The choices that had to be made invoked fear. What if Mr Ford discovered that things weren’t progressing as planned? What if the locals went to the island and came back with alcohol? For many of the characters, ignorance was bliss and a choice was made to do nothing. The head-in-the-sand approach to fear is still prevalent today! The employees and their families were fearful of the unknown and their environment, so they replicated what made them comfortable, thereby shutting out their opportunity to learn and grow from their experience.
“Nothing had changed at Fordlandia.”
How sad.
I was also frustrated to learn that “after two years at Fordlandia, the man in charge hadn’t learned a thing because he couldn’t admit he needed to.” What a horrible position to be in for anyone, let alone someone representing a huge corporation, one on the cusp of achieving greatness! Piggybacking on this idea is how much we can learn about how to handle disappointment. Author Brynn Barineau explores the responses of people of different ages, genders, socioeconomic statuses, and cultures and links these to the success they achieved in Fordlandia. While Mr. Rogge’s response and growth was in bold, that of the mother-daughter relationship was in a smaller font, so to speak, but the pivot to embrace change and face disappointments before bitterness set in led to their bond being strengthened and gleaning more from their two years abroad.
“Fordlandia was a graveyard for the best laid plans.”
I think the thing that will stay with me the longest is the value of curiosity. Joanaa showed readers how enriched her life became because she embraced differences and pushed past fear to learn everything she could from this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Those who didn’t, returned home having gained little from their time in the Amazon.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how much I loved the cover. Its simplicity gave way to the richness of the book once I finished reading. I noticed the play between the industry and nature and discovered the symbols of Joana’s quest!
I absolutely loved this book and am so grateful that History Through Fiction reached out with an ARC and an invitation to the Zoom meeting with the author.
WORTHY OF ALL THE STARS! Historical fiction lovers, you NEED this one on your TBR.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
The author describes this book as “unchecked power through the eyes of star-crossed lovers” and a kind of “Stepford in the jungle” scenario.
Most definitely!
I read with disbelief at how out of touch Henry Ford, the richest person in the world at that time, was with reality. His correspondence with the managers of Fordlandia showed that his lack of boots on the ground experience and his unwillingness to consider the culture and the land led to the downfall of his endeavor.
My favourite character was Joanna ‘Jo’ Rogge because I saw a lot of myself (and a lot of who I’d love to be) in her personality. Joanna was the daughter of the assistant manager in Fordlandia and she had an infectious curiosity. I read in awe of how she continually faced the unknown and pushed past the barriers of her discomfort. This personality was in such stark contrast to so many of the adults in her community. Where Joanna appreciated and celebrated the uniqueness of her surroundings, they pigheadedly shaped their surroundings to what made them comfortable and what they were used to back at home.
Another aspect of this story I enjoyed was the multilayered fear. Not only were the locals speaking a different language, but they looked differently, ate different foods, and valued things differently. The transplants to Fordlandia were fearful of people who were different. The choices that had to be made invoked fear. What if Mr Ford discovered that things weren’t progressing as planned? What if the locals went to the island and came back with alcohol? For many of the characters, ignorance was bliss and a choice was made to do nothing. The head-in-the-sand approach to fear is still prevalent today! The employees and their families were fearful of the unknown and their environment, so they replicated what made them comfortable, thereby shutting out their opportunity to learn and grow from their experience.
“Nothing had changed at Fordlandia.”
How sad.
I was also frustrated to learn that “after two years at Fordlandia, the man in charge hadn’t learned a thing because he couldn’t admit he needed to.” What a horrible position to be in for anyone, let alone someone representing a huge corporation, one on the cusp of achieving greatness! Piggybacking on this idea is how much we can learn about how to handle disappointment. Author Brynn Barineau explores the responses of people of different ages, genders, socioeconomic statuses, and cultures and links these to the success they achieved in Fordlandia. While Mr. Rogge’s response and growth was in bold, that of the mother-daughter relationship was in a smaller font, so to speak, but the pivot to embrace change and face disappointments before bitterness set in led to their bond being strengthened and gleaning more from their two years abroad.
“Fordlandia was a graveyard for the best laid plans.”
I think the thing that will stay with me the longest is the value of curiosity. Joanaa showed readers how enriched her life became because she embraced differences and pushed past fear to learn everything she could from this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Those who didn’t, returned home having gained little from their time in the Amazon.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how much I loved the cover. Its simplicity gave way to the richness of the book once I finished reading. I noticed the play between the industry and nature and discovered the symbols of Joana’s quest!
I absolutely loved this book and am so grateful that History Through Fiction reached out with an ARC and an invitation to the Zoom meeting with the author.
WORTHY OF ALL THE STARS! Historical fiction lovers, you NEED this one on your TBR.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was playing a brain game on my phone one day and a passage I read mentioned Henry Ford trying to build an American town in the Amazon called Fordlandia. I had never heard this piece of history but thought it was interesting. When I read the description for this book, I thought it would be a great way to learn about it. It’s historical fiction and romance, but Fordlandia and the events that happened there are real.
In 1928, American titan Henry Ford set out to conquer the Brazilian rainforest. Tired of paying expensive prices and taxes imposed by the British, he was determined to grow his own rubber trees for tires. He bought over 2.5 million acres of land in the Amazon rainforest with the dream of creating an “American” factory town within. The result was Fordlandia, a failed experiment created by wealth, American arrogance, and greed.
John Rogge was a “Ford” man. He had worked his way up from lumberjack to his current position as manager. He loved Ford and had pride in the company's efficiency and production. He was chosen by Ford to be assistant manager of the venture in the Amazon. After some time, Ford believed that for the mission to be successful, he would need to set up the town like it is in America, with the same amenities and even a golf course. He required the workers and their families to move there.
Rogge’s 17-year-old daughter, Joanna, is idealistic and has a love for botany when she arrives in Brazil with her family. She meets Rafael Caetano one night when she goes out venturing into the rainforest. Oblivious to the dangers lurking there, he saves her from harm. He is an ambitious young mechanic who is working as a machinist at Fordlandia. Rafael (Rafa) has the mind of an engineer. Despite their cultures, they fall in love.
She quickly learns that her father has been lying about the progress and realities of the place and begins to learn what it truly means to be a "Ford man." She sees the difference between how the Americans are living versus the natives. Conditions in Fordlandia continue to deteriorate.
Joanna begins to explore and learn about the forest. She believes she’s discovered what the problem might be, but due to arrogance as ignorance, her father nor any of the others will listen to the advice that she, Rafa, or the locals give and disregards them.
Not surprisingly, behind the promise of progress, jobs, and economic growth, lies colonization, cultural conflict, and ecological disaster. The book shows how the workers were exploited, controlled, and disposable. Eventually, the people are tired of the mistreatment, and tensions between management and labor begin to escalate. When political revolution happens, Joanna and Rafa have to choose: is there a safe place where they can stay together and live out their dream of becoming a botanist and engineer?
Thanks NetGalley for the ALC in return for my review.
In 1928, American titan Henry Ford set out to conquer the Brazilian rainforest. Tired of paying expensive prices and taxes imposed by the British, he was determined to grow his own rubber trees for tires. He bought over 2.5 million acres of land in the Amazon rainforest with the dream of creating an “American” factory town within. The result was Fordlandia, a failed experiment created by wealth, American arrogance, and greed.
John Rogge was a “Ford” man. He had worked his way up from lumberjack to his current position as manager. He loved Ford and had pride in the company's efficiency and production. He was chosen by Ford to be assistant manager of the venture in the Amazon. After some time, Ford believed that for the mission to be successful, he would need to set up the town like it is in America, with the same amenities and even a golf course. He required the workers and their families to move there.
Rogge’s 17-year-old daughter, Joanna, is idealistic and has a love for botany when she arrives in Brazil with her family. She meets Rafael Caetano one night when she goes out venturing into the rainforest. Oblivious to the dangers lurking there, he saves her from harm. He is an ambitious young mechanic who is working as a machinist at Fordlandia. Rafael (Rafa) has the mind of an engineer. Despite their cultures, they fall in love.
She quickly learns that her father has been lying about the progress and realities of the place and begins to learn what it truly means to be a "Ford man." She sees the difference between how the Americans are living versus the natives. Conditions in Fordlandia continue to deteriorate.
Joanna begins to explore and learn about the forest. She believes she’s discovered what the problem might be, but due to arrogance as ignorance, her father nor any of the others will listen to the advice that she, Rafa, or the locals give and disregards them.
Not surprisingly, behind the promise of progress, jobs, and economic growth, lies colonization, cultural conflict, and ecological disaster. The book shows how the workers were exploited, controlled, and disposable. Eventually, the people are tired of the mistreatment, and tensions between management and labor begin to escalate. When political revolution happens, Joanna and Rafa have to choose: is there a safe place where they can stay together and live out their dream of becoming a botanist and engineer?
Thanks NetGalley for the ALC in return for my review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much to History Through Fiction and Netgalley for the advance review copy! All opinions are 100% my own.
Jungle of Ashes by Brynn Barineau is a captivating story that I think everyone should read. Just go. You don't need to read this review. You will not regret it. But if you're still here and are looking for a review, allow me to explain.
Joanna, the only daughter of a Ford Company manager, moves with her parents to Fordlandia, Henry Ford's utopian city built in the middle of the rainforest to harvest rubber trees. But, when she arrives there, she suddenly realizes that perhaps that conditions weren't as her father and the other Ford men had led them to believe. Not only was the project not making as much as progress as they were claiming but conditions that the native Brazilian workers were experiencing were a far cry from Henry Ford's claims of workplace improvements back home. Her friendship, and subsequent romantic relationship, with the young Rafa, a skilled mechanic, not only opens her eyes to the injustices they were both facing in Fordlandia, but also about their true selves and their families.
Before you roll your eyes thinking this is just a regular love story, no, it is not. This is a deeply moving and well-researched story about far more than Joanna and Rafa. This is a story about nature and our shortcomings as humans. About true and found family. About making tough decisions and not giving up on one's dreams. And much more than what I can capture in words.
And best of all, this is a story based on real-life events and real figures. And, while, yes, it features young adults as the protagonists, I was delighted to read realistic teens that, yes, make mistakes, but aren't shallow or self-centered just because of their age. This is a book that both adults and young adults would enjoy, because it's expertly crafted and delivered. I was surprised to find out this is the author's debut novel. Wow!!
This was a triumph. One of the first 5-star reads I read in a long while. If you're a lover of history and are looking for a realistic book about real-life events that will leave you both better educated but, also, deeply touched and moved, you need to read this.
As for the audiobook, the narrator Caroline Hewitt, did a fantastic job capturing everyone's personality, mannerisms, accents and emotions. She truly shined in the more dramatic scenes. The pacing was great and made the audiobook a great way to experience the story.
You can also find me on: Instagram (MoonlightCocoa) and Instagram (MoonlightCupOfStories)
Jungle of Ashes by Brynn Barineau is a captivating story that I think everyone should read. Just go. You don't need to read this review. You will not regret it. But if you're still here and are looking for a review, allow me to explain.
Joanna, the only daughter of a Ford Company manager, moves with her parents to Fordlandia, Henry Ford's utopian city built in the middle of the rainforest to harvest rubber trees. But, when she arrives there, she suddenly realizes that perhaps that conditions weren't as her father and the other Ford men had led them to believe. Not only was the project not making as much as progress as they were claiming but conditions that the native Brazilian workers were experiencing were a far cry from Henry Ford's claims of workplace improvements back home. Her friendship, and subsequent romantic relationship, with the young Rafa, a skilled mechanic, not only opens her eyes to the injustices they were both facing in Fordlandia, but also about their true selves and their families.
Before you roll your eyes thinking this is just a regular love story, no, it is not. This is a deeply moving and well-researched story about far more than Joanna and Rafa. This is a story about nature and our shortcomings as humans. About true and found family. About making tough decisions and not giving up on one's dreams. And much more than what I can capture in words.
And best of all, this is a story based on real-life events and real figures. And, while, yes, it features young adults as the protagonists, I was delighted to read realistic teens that, yes, make mistakes, but aren't shallow or self-centered just because of their age. This is a book that both adults and young adults would enjoy, because it's expertly crafted and delivered. I was surprised to find out this is the author's debut novel. Wow!!
This was a triumph. One of the first 5-star reads I read in a long while. If you're a lover of history and are looking for a realistic book about real-life events that will leave you both better educated but, also, deeply touched and moved, you need to read this.
As for the audiobook, the narrator Caroline Hewitt, did a fantastic job capturing everyone's personality, mannerisms, accents and emotions. She truly shined in the more dramatic scenes. The pacing was great and made the audiobook a great way to experience the story.
You can also find me on: Instagram (MoonlightCocoa) and Instagram (MoonlightCupOfStories)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jungle of Ashes was an absolute surprise, and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to experience this story before its release.
Set in the jungles of Brazil in 1928, this historical romance follows the ambitious — and largely forgotten — story of Fordlandia, Henry Ford’s audacious attempt to grow and manufacture his own rubber trees deep in the Amazon. When Joann’s father lands the promotion that sends him to oversee this operation, Joann soon follows — uprooted from the life she knew and dropped into a world unlike anything she’s ever encountered. It’s here that she comes of age, finds herself, and discovers what it means to love.
I’ll be honest: this book reads very much like young adult fiction, but that is not a bad thing. Joann is eighteen and on the cusp of college when she’s pulled away to join her father. She’s naive, innocent, and wholly sheltered — but she’s also brave, independent, and genuinely kind. Those qualities don’t cancel each other out; they make her feel real and worth rooting for.
Rafael Caetano is the other heart of this story. He brings a selfless, quiet love for his family and, through Joann’s eyes, discovers what he’s truly capable of. The growth between these two characters is beautifully rendered. Barineau strikes a wonderful balance between lightness and tenderness, never shying away from the darker threads of the story — and the result is a novel with real, lasting heart.
What struck me most about the romance between Joann and Rafael was how it illuminated the gap in their circumstances. What came easily to Joann — opportunity, access, privilege — was not so easily available to Rafael or the Brazilians around them. That contrast gives the love story weight and meaning beyond simple sweetness, and it made the ending hit even harder. I won’t say more than that, except that it genuinely tugged at my heartstrings and left me lingering in this world a little longer than I expected.
I also have to say: I had no idea that Ford attempted to grow his own rubber trees, or that Fordlandia even existed. That alone made this novel feel like a gift. Historical fiction at its best teaches you something you didn’t know you needed to know — and Jungle of Ashes does exactly that.
I loved Joann’s strength and courage. I loved Rafael’s unwavering loyalty. And I loved the way Barineau held both light and shadow in the same hand without letting either overwhelm the other.
If you love historical fiction, a sweet and innocent romance, and stories about families who stand by their own — this book is going to find a place in your heart.
4.5 ⭐️
I received an Advance Listener Copy (ALC) from History Through Fiction and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Set in the jungles of Brazil in 1928, this historical romance follows the ambitious — and largely forgotten — story of Fordlandia, Henry Ford’s audacious attempt to grow and manufacture his own rubber trees deep in the Amazon. When Joann’s father lands the promotion that sends him to oversee this operation, Joann soon follows — uprooted from the life she knew and dropped into a world unlike anything she’s ever encountered. It’s here that she comes of age, finds herself, and discovers what it means to love.
I’ll be honest: this book reads very much like young adult fiction, but that is not a bad thing. Joann is eighteen and on the cusp of college when she’s pulled away to join her father. She’s naive, innocent, and wholly sheltered — but she’s also brave, independent, and genuinely kind. Those qualities don’t cancel each other out; they make her feel real and worth rooting for.
Rafael Caetano is the other heart of this story. He brings a selfless, quiet love for his family and, through Joann’s eyes, discovers what he’s truly capable of. The growth between these two characters is beautifully rendered. Barineau strikes a wonderful balance between lightness and tenderness, never shying away from the darker threads of the story — and the result is a novel with real, lasting heart.
What struck me most about the romance between Joann and Rafael was how it illuminated the gap in their circumstances. What came easily to Joann — opportunity, access, privilege — was not so easily available to Rafael or the Brazilians around them. That contrast gives the love story weight and meaning beyond simple sweetness, and it made the ending hit even harder. I won’t say more than that, except that it genuinely tugged at my heartstrings and left me lingering in this world a little longer than I expected.
I also have to say: I had no idea that Ford attempted to grow his own rubber trees, or that Fordlandia even existed. That alone made this novel feel like a gift. Historical fiction at its best teaches you something you didn’t know you needed to know — and Jungle of Ashes does exactly that.
I loved Joann’s strength and courage. I loved Rafael’s unwavering loyalty. And I loved the way Barineau held both light and shadow in the same hand without letting either overwhelm the other.
If you love historical fiction, a sweet and innocent romance, and stories about families who stand by their own — this book is going to find a place in your heart.
4.5 ⭐️
I received an Advance Listener Copy (ALC) from History Through Fiction and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This story takes place in a region deep within the Amazon rainforest called Fordlandia. It was envisioned as a town, covering around 14,000 square kilometers, inhabited by thousands of Brazilian workers and led by American executives. Initiated by Henry Ford, the founder of the famous automobile company, Fordlandia was meant to bring “civilization” to the Amazon and become a major hub for rubber production. After all, where better to grow rubber than in the rainforest itself?
Unfortunately, the first crops failed. In an effort to boost morale among the Americans living there, many wives and children were brought over from the United States to reunite with their families.
This is where the story begins, with an 18 year old girl named Joanna, who is incredibly excited to travel to the Amazon. She has a deep love for nature and research, and her curiosity eventually leads her to meet Rafael, a young Brazilian man working as a technician in Fordlandia.
Through Joanna’s perspective, we see the stark contrast between the lives of the Americans and the local workers. The Americans seem to believe they can conquer the Amazon, yet the forest proves to be untamable. The dangers of the wild and the tragedies that claim the lives of loved ones make Joanna realize that nature follows its own rules.
Throughout the story, a strong sense of romance develops between Joanna and Rafa. Coming from two very different worlds, they understand that they cannot openly express their feelings. Their meetings happen in secret, fueled by a quiet hope that somehow, they might still find a happy ending together.
But will Fordlandia allow their love to truly blossom?
Joanna, as the main character, is intelligent and full of curiosity. She is confident in expressing her opinions and isn’t afraid to criticize when something doesn’t sit right with her. Still, she does so with grace and respect, never carelessly or rudely.
When I first started reading this book, I didn’t realize that Fordlandia was actually a real place. Located along the Tapajós River, it was originally intended to become a small American-style town. Its development focused heavily on facilities for American residents, including hospitals, railways, and even tennis courts. Some of the characters in the story are based on real people, and several of the tragedies depicted actually happened.
Overall, this book is a great choice for readers who enjoy romance mixed with cultural and historical elements, particularly those interested in Brazil.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to access this book early.
Unfortunately, the first crops failed. In an effort to boost morale among the Americans living there, many wives and children were brought over from the United States to reunite with their families.
This is where the story begins, with an 18 year old girl named Joanna, who is incredibly excited to travel to the Amazon. She has a deep love for nature and research, and her curiosity eventually leads her to meet Rafael, a young Brazilian man working as a technician in Fordlandia.
Through Joanna’s perspective, we see the stark contrast between the lives of the Americans and the local workers. The Americans seem to believe they can conquer the Amazon, yet the forest proves to be untamable. The dangers of the wild and the tragedies that claim the lives of loved ones make Joanna realize that nature follows its own rules.
Throughout the story, a strong sense of romance develops between Joanna and Rafa. Coming from two very different worlds, they understand that they cannot openly express their feelings. Their meetings happen in secret, fueled by a quiet hope that somehow, they might still find a happy ending together.
But will Fordlandia allow their love to truly blossom?
Joanna, as the main character, is intelligent and full of curiosity. She is confident in expressing her opinions and isn’t afraid to criticize when something doesn’t sit right with her. Still, she does so with grace and respect, never carelessly or rudely.
When I first started reading this book, I didn’t realize that Fordlandia was actually a real place. Located along the Tapajós River, it was originally intended to become a small American-style town. Its development focused heavily on facilities for American residents, including hospitals, railways, and even tennis courts. Some of the characters in the story are based on real people, and several of the tragedies depicted actually happened.
Overall, this book is a great choice for readers who enjoy romance mixed with cultural and historical elements, particularly those interested in Brazil.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to access this book early.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Going into this book I didn’t even know Fordlandia existed, let alone what a dark past it had.
This novel is set in 1928 in Brazil where Henry Ford has setup a whole compound and factory town in the Amazonian rainforest. The story centers mostly around two POVs…Joanna Rogge, a white middle class 17 year old from Michigan who goes to live with her father in Fortlandia, expecting an adventure. Then there is Rafael Caetano, a young man making the best out of his mechanics position at the plant while trying to make a better life for himself as well as his family.
This can get a little sensitive for some readers but it is history and needs to be told. As often happens when white people take over an area its not always (or usually) good. The Ford managers slowly try to take over the life of the Brazilian workers, from dictating to what they eat, initiating a prohibition on alcohol and paying unfair wages. There is a strong theme of the white savior complex. The Ford officials think their way is the best for everyone and even Joanna, though well meaning, can be naïve in the ways of the world. Tensions between the laborers and ford officials rise culminating to the explosive end.
While this book is mainly about the tragedy of Fordlandia, it covers other themes as well. As it was the late 1920s, women were still not respected for their minds and there were many times where you see the men practice the “be seen and not heard” mentality. The theme of forbidden love and especially intense first love is usually not my favorite, but it was told in such a realistic and heart aching way I appreciated it. We can all remember our first love and can hopefully look at Rafael and Joanna’s story with a smile.
Since I listened to this on Audiobook I did want to take a moment to talk about the narrator Caroline Hewitt whom I thought did a fantastic job. She captured the yearning, sadness, joy and frustration beautifully from all the characters. She was able to capture the Brazilian accent and dialogue in a respectful and believable way. I would be happy to listen to Caroline Hewitt narrate any book.
Lastly I love the way Henry Ford was portrayed as this nameless entity which almost gave it a creepy/borderline cult vibe.
This book was so well researched and told in such a captivating way that all I have left is one more thing to say. If you love historic fiction, I urge you to read this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and History Through Fiction in exchange for an honest review.
This novel is set in 1928 in Brazil where Henry Ford has setup a whole compound and factory town in the Amazonian rainforest. The story centers mostly around two POVs…Joanna Rogge, a white middle class 17 year old from Michigan who goes to live with her father in Fortlandia, expecting an adventure. Then there is Rafael Caetano, a young man making the best out of his mechanics position at the plant while trying to make a better life for himself as well as his family.
This can get a little sensitive for some readers but it is history and needs to be told. As often happens when white people take over an area its not always (or usually) good. The Ford managers slowly try to take over the life of the Brazilian workers, from dictating to what they eat, initiating a prohibition on alcohol and paying unfair wages. There is a strong theme of the white savior complex. The Ford officials think their way is the best for everyone and even Joanna, though well meaning, can be naïve in the ways of the world. Tensions between the laborers and ford officials rise culminating to the explosive end.
While this book is mainly about the tragedy of Fordlandia, it covers other themes as well. As it was the late 1920s, women were still not respected for their minds and there were many times where you see the men practice the “be seen and not heard” mentality. The theme of forbidden love and especially intense first love is usually not my favorite, but it was told in such a realistic and heart aching way I appreciated it. We can all remember our first love and can hopefully look at Rafael and Joanna’s story with a smile.
Since I listened to this on Audiobook I did want to take a moment to talk about the narrator Caroline Hewitt whom I thought did a fantastic job. She captured the yearning, sadness, joy and frustration beautifully from all the characters. She was able to capture the Brazilian accent and dialogue in a respectful and believable way. I would be happy to listen to Caroline Hewitt narrate any book.
Lastly I love the way Henry Ford was portrayed as this nameless entity which almost gave it a creepy/borderline cult vibe.
This book was so well researched and told in such a captivating way that all I have left is one more thing to say. If you love historic fiction, I urge you to read this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and History Through Fiction in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
This is exactly the kind of historical fiction I love—something off the beaten path that teaches me about a part of history I didn’t really know much about.
Jungle of Ashes follows Henry Ford’s attempt to build a rubber empire in the Amazon, and what really stood out to me was the sheer level of ambition—and the hubris behind it. The idea that you can take a system that works in one place and simply recreate it somewhere completely different, without adapting to the environment, culture, or people, is both fascinating and incredibly frustrating to watch unfold.
What made this especially compelling was the dual POV. Through Joanna and Rafael, you get two very different perspectives that highlight the cultural, social, and economic divides at play. I really appreciated how their friendship and connection felt genuine, even if the romance didn’t fully land for me. Their dynamic adds an emotional layer to a story that’s otherwise very focused on the bigger picture.
I also loved the inclusion of telegrams and memos throughout the book—it gave the story a more immersive, almost documentary-like feel that grounded everything in reality. And the afterword was a standout—learning how much of this was rooted in actual events made the story even more impactful.
If I had one critique, I do wish some of the characters had a bit more depth. They’re not flat, but they feel more like lenses into a moment in history rather than fully developed characters. That said, it didn’t take away from my engagement or the overall story. If anything, it fits with what the book is trying to do—this isn’t really a character-driven story, but one focused more on the bigger picture and the ideas it’s exploring.
Audiobook note: I also listened to this on audio and really enjoyed the experience. It’s a single narrator despite the dual POV, but it’s never confusing—you can clearly tell which character’s perspective you’re in. I also appreciated hearing the Brazilian terms and names spoken aloud, which added another layer of immersion without feeling overwhelming.
Overall, this was a really engaging and thought-provoking read. It explores power, control, and the consequences of imposing one way of thinking onto a completely different world—and it does it in a way that feels both historical and still relevant.
This is exactly the kind of historical fiction I love—something off the beaten path that teaches me about a part of history I didn’t really know much about.
Jungle of Ashes follows Henry Ford’s attempt to build a rubber empire in the Amazon, and what really stood out to me was the sheer level of ambition—and the hubris behind it. The idea that you can take a system that works in one place and simply recreate it somewhere completely different, without adapting to the environment, culture, or people, is both fascinating and incredibly frustrating to watch unfold.
What made this especially compelling was the dual POV. Through Joanna and Rafael, you get two very different perspectives that highlight the cultural, social, and economic divides at play. I really appreciated how their friendship and connection felt genuine, even if the romance didn’t fully land for me. Their dynamic adds an emotional layer to a story that’s otherwise very focused on the bigger picture.
I also loved the inclusion of telegrams and memos throughout the book—it gave the story a more immersive, almost documentary-like feel that grounded everything in reality. And the afterword was a standout—learning how much of this was rooted in actual events made the story even more impactful.
If I had one critique, I do wish some of the characters had a bit more depth. They’re not flat, but they feel more like lenses into a moment in history rather than fully developed characters. That said, it didn’t take away from my engagement or the overall story. If anything, it fits with what the book is trying to do—this isn’t really a character-driven story, but one focused more on the bigger picture and the ideas it’s exploring.
Audiobook note: I also listened to this on audio and really enjoyed the experience. It’s a single narrator despite the dual POV, but it’s never confusing—you can clearly tell which character’s perspective you’re in. I also appreciated hearing the Brazilian terms and names spoken aloud, which added another layer of immersion without feeling overwhelming.
Overall, this was a really engaging and thought-provoking read. It explores power, control, and the consequences of imposing one way of thinking onto a completely different world—and it does it in a way that feels both historical and still relevant.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a review of the audiobook. The ALC was provided to me by the publisher, History Through Fiction, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved Jungle of Ashes much more than I expected! Having worked in the automotive industry for many years, the description intrigued me, but I did not expect to fall in love with Jo and Rafa. I usually read historical fiction related to WWII and I enjoyed reading about a different era.
Seventeen-year-old Joanna ["Jo"] Rogge is uprooted from Michigan when her father is appointed assistant manager of the Ford Company's Amazonian plantation. Eager to escape the confining expectations of American society, Joanna finds herself both fascinated and disturbed by the rainforest-and by Rafael ["Rafa"] Caetano, a skilled Brazilian mechanic with ambitions of his own.
As conditions in Fordlandia deteriorate-diseased crops, rising fevers, and mounting tensions between management and labor-Joanna and Rafael are drawn together in a fragile romance that defies class, culture, and the company's rigid rules. When political revolution and corporate control collide, they must choose between duty and desire, safety and truth, survival and love.
I love that the book is about so much more than the rise and fall of Fordlandia - it is about strength, resilience, and acceptance. Jo is brilliant, mature, inquisitive, and daring - a FMC after my heart. I enjoyed watching her develop from a dutiful daughter into a strong and assertive young woman.
The writing was intentional and concise, vivid and descriptive when needed and well-paced. I was not bored or distracted at any time.
The ending (epilogue) was a welcome surprise and I am so happy the author included this. I love ending a book on a note that brings happy tears.
The audio was wonderful, and I appreciate that the narrator, Caroline Hewitt, used the authentic Portuguese pronunciation for Rafael and other names. In the last 40 minutes of the book, however, something odd happened with the narrator's voice - it randomly alternated with a deeper and slower version.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction.
I loved Jungle of Ashes much more than I expected! Having worked in the automotive industry for many years, the description intrigued me, but I did not expect to fall in love with Jo and Rafa. I usually read historical fiction related to WWII and I enjoyed reading about a different era.
Seventeen-year-old Joanna ["Jo"] Rogge is uprooted from Michigan when her father is appointed assistant manager of the Ford Company's Amazonian plantation. Eager to escape the confining expectations of American society, Joanna finds herself both fascinated and disturbed by the rainforest-and by Rafael ["Rafa"] Caetano, a skilled Brazilian mechanic with ambitions of his own.
As conditions in Fordlandia deteriorate-diseased crops, rising fevers, and mounting tensions between management and labor-Joanna and Rafael are drawn together in a fragile romance that defies class, culture, and the company's rigid rules. When political revolution and corporate control collide, they must choose between duty and desire, safety and truth, survival and love.
I love that the book is about so much more than the rise and fall of Fordlandia - it is about strength, resilience, and acceptance. Jo is brilliant, mature, inquisitive, and daring - a FMC after my heart. I enjoyed watching her develop from a dutiful daughter into a strong and assertive young woman.
The writing was intentional and concise, vivid and descriptive when needed and well-paced. I was not bored or distracted at any time.
The ending (epilogue) was a welcome surprise and I am so happy the author included this. I love ending a book on a note that brings happy tears.
The audio was wonderful, and I appreciate that the narrator, Caroline Hewitt, used the authentic Portuguese pronunciation for Rafael and other names. In the last 40 minutes of the book, however, something odd happened with the narrator's voice - it randomly alternated with a deeper and slower version.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I did not know any of this history about the Ford company and the attempt to build a rubber empire in the Brazilian rainforest. Ford has almost everything at his fingertips but rubber and decides to seek it out as he has everything else, and money isn't currently an issue. Joanna's father is sent down to what is now known as Fordlandia to get things up and running in this strange place. It is only after Ford agrees to send families down there for moral do Joanna and her mother finally get to head to the Amazon. Joanna is beyond thrilled, this is more than she could have ever dreamed for. A land of unknown that she can explore and grow her knowledge and love of plants. When they get there, things are not at all her father has made them seem. The rubber trees aren't growing, there is sickness and disease running rampant, people are living in what can hardly even be called a shack and everyday brings issues and something else going wrong. As Joanna befriends as Brazilian worker, she quickly learns how difficult things have been, the truth about how workers are treated and what is wrong with Ford coming in thinking he can do what he wants because he has money. As Joanna tries to figure out why the rubber tree crops are failing, she knows her father's job is in jeopardy if something isn't figured out and soon. As tension rise, sickness starts to take lives and an uprising evokes the American's and their families start to flee. Joanna caught in the middle and must decide if her heart and passion for botany more important than the path her parents have always wanted her to take. I just loved this novel and the characters, and that this was written through various points of view. I learned a lot about this time in Ford's history and one of his biggest failures. Thank you to the author and History Through Fiction for the complementary novel. This review is of my own opinion and accord.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a NetGalley eARC of this book.
Jungle of Ashes is the coming-of-age story of Joanna Rogge, an eighteen-year-old who follows her father to Brazil when he becomes the assistant manager of Fordlandia, an American compound in the Amazon rainforest founded by Henry Ford. As she acclimates to her new lifestyle, Joanna befriends Rafael Caetano, a young mechanic who volunteers to teach Portuguese lessons to the Americans at Fordlandia. Joanna and Rafael begin a secret love affair over the course of her time in Brazil, but their love is put to the test when social conflicts and political upheaval try to pull them apart.
I had never heard of Fordlandia prior to reading this novel, and the entire idea behind it sounds like a lesson in futility: carving up part of the Amazon rainforest to install an American compound so that Henry Ford can make himself a rubber monopoly?! I read with dismay as Ford and his minions thought, in their hubris, that they knew better than nature- razing forests, planting with no knowledge of local flora, and allowing workers to live along riverbanks teeming with jaguars and caimans. Joanna's interest in botany and wish to make the world a better place was like a breath of fresh air, but her naivety about the business world (and the patriarchy) put her in a no-win situation when her concerns were dismissed over and over again. It was so frustrating to watch Jo work so hard to come up with real solutions that could have helped her father and then see him talk over and disregard her because it wasn't her "place". I really enjoyed the sweet nature of her love affair with Rafa and the way their interests, while different, synced up in a way that made them truly see each other.
This was a really nice PG love affair set against a super interesting moment in history. I would definitely recommend!
Jungle of Ashes is the coming-of-age story of Joanna Rogge, an eighteen-year-old who follows her father to Brazil when he becomes the assistant manager of Fordlandia, an American compound in the Amazon rainforest founded by Henry Ford. As she acclimates to her new lifestyle, Joanna befriends Rafael Caetano, a young mechanic who volunteers to teach Portuguese lessons to the Americans at Fordlandia. Joanna and Rafael begin a secret love affair over the course of her time in Brazil, but their love is put to the test when social conflicts and political upheaval try to pull them apart.
I had never heard of Fordlandia prior to reading this novel, and the entire idea behind it sounds like a lesson in futility: carving up part of the Amazon rainforest to install an American compound so that Henry Ford can make himself a rubber monopoly?! I read with dismay as Ford and his minions thought, in their hubris, that they knew better than nature- razing forests, planting with no knowledge of local flora, and allowing workers to live along riverbanks teeming with jaguars and caimans. Joanna's interest in botany and wish to make the world a better place was like a breath of fresh air, but her naivety about the business world (and the patriarchy) put her in a no-win situation when her concerns were dismissed over and over again. It was so frustrating to watch Jo work so hard to come up with real solutions that could have helped her father and then see him talk over and disregard her because it wasn't her "place". I really enjoyed the sweet nature of her love affair with Rafa and the way their interests, while different, synced up in a way that made them truly see each other.
This was a really nice PG love affair set against a super interesting moment in history. I would definitely recommend!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC
I'd like to thank History Through Fiction and NetGalley for the opportunity to give "Jungle of Ashes" an early read in return for an honest review.
"Jungle of Ashes" was a novel that truly surprised me.
I was not anticipating to get as connected to Joanna and Rafael as I did, which was due to Barineau's wonderful character work for these two individuals. Both are deeply rooted within real-life individuals, but Barineau crafts them to be fully-fleshed out and real characters. Having absolutely no knowledge about Fordlandia and everything that transpired during this experiment, Barineau does a solid job at laying the foundation of knowledge so readers don't go into the meat of the story feeling like they're in the dark. I was a bit hesitant with the romance, since I was anticipating something more akin to another History Though Fiction novel I've read, "The Porcelain Menagerie", but I'm so glad that there was a romantic plot, since it made you have even deeper of a connection to these characters.
The novel was well paced, not feeling like things were rushed, but also not reveling too much in the small details, which made it a breeze of a read. It was a novel that, once I started, I genuinely looked forward to coming back to, and was deeply saddened when I realized just how close I was to finishing the story. Like I said earlier, I was very surprised to see just how much I enjoyed this novel, since I had written it off as something I was possibly going to have to force myself to read. I'm so glad to have been proven wrong in that aspect, since this has been one of the best books I've read thus far in 2026.
Be sure to give "Jungle of Ashes" a read when it is published on May 19, 2026!
I'd like to thank History Through Fiction and NetGalley for the opportunity to give "Jungle of Ashes" an early read in return for an honest review.
"Jungle of Ashes" was a novel that truly surprised me.
I was not anticipating to get as connected to Joanna and Rafael as I did, which was due to Barineau's wonderful character work for these two individuals. Both are deeply rooted within real-life individuals, but Barineau crafts them to be fully-fleshed out and real characters. Having absolutely no knowledge about Fordlandia and everything that transpired during this experiment, Barineau does a solid job at laying the foundation of knowledge so readers don't go into the meat of the story feeling like they're in the dark. I was a bit hesitant with the romance, since I was anticipating something more akin to another History Though Fiction novel I've read, "The Porcelain Menagerie", but I'm so glad that there was a romantic plot, since it made you have even deeper of a connection to these characters.
The novel was well paced, not feeling like things were rushed, but also not reveling too much in the small details, which made it a breeze of a read. It was a novel that, once I started, I genuinely looked forward to coming back to, and was deeply saddened when I realized just how close I was to finishing the story. Like I said earlier, I was very surprised to see just how much I enjoyed this novel, since I had written it off as something I was possibly going to have to force myself to read. I'm so glad to have been proven wrong in that aspect, since this has been one of the best books I've read thus far in 2026.
Be sure to give "Jungle of Ashes" a read when it is published on May 19, 2026!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jungle of Ashes is an engaging historical fiction novel set amid the backdrop of the early days of Fordlandia, an experiment by the richest man in the world at the time, Henry Ford, in the middle of the Brazilian Amazonian jungle. While Fordlandia was a real place, and the fate of the experiment as told in the book is in fact what really happened, this book presents a version of the story of Fordlandia as told through the imagined lives of the people who it impacted.
We experience the story through the eyes of two young people who meet on the Fordlandia plantation. Coming from opposite backgrounds, they still manage to find common ground while navigating the complex challenges involved with trying to build a slice of America in the middle of a rainforest. The two each have their own dreams of something bigger than the life they've known before Fordlandia, but through their time working together to try and find the source of one of the mysteries plaguing the project, they come to influence each other in unexpected ways.
While the book has a somewhat slow start, it is never boring, and by the middle, I found myself not wanting to put it down for any longer than necessary. The story kept me engaged to the very end, and although there were several times when I thought I knew where we were headed, I was never able to actually predict the ending. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and wants a story of perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds.
I received a free advanced review copy of this audiobook. My review is optional and is my own opinion.
We experience the story through the eyes of two young people who meet on the Fordlandia plantation. Coming from opposite backgrounds, they still manage to find common ground while navigating the complex challenges involved with trying to build a slice of America in the middle of a rainforest. The two each have their own dreams of something bigger than the life they've known before Fordlandia, but through their time working together to try and find the source of one of the mysteries plaguing the project, they come to influence each other in unexpected ways.
While the book has a somewhat slow start, it is never boring, and by the middle, I found myself not wanting to put it down for any longer than necessary. The story kept me engaged to the very end, and although there were several times when I thought I knew where we were headed, I was never able to actually predict the ending. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and wants a story of perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds.
I received a free advanced review copy of this audiobook. My review is optional and is my own opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s the 1920’s and Henry Ford is determined to establish rubber plantations in the heart of the Amazon. Fordlandia was established for his employees at the famous $5/day. Providing housing, schooling, and entertainment for the Ford employees, Fordlandia is a town of its own. On the outskirts, live the local workers and their families, often in appalling conditions and paid a fraction of the salaries for the Americans. Disease, wildlife, and political conflicts are constant concerns. Does Henry Ford have any idea what it takes to grow rubber trees? Does he have the right management team in place? While failure of his crops looms, Joann Rogge, the daughter of one of Ford’s managers begins to study the variables. Joann put her University of Michigan admission on hold when she was uprooted to the Amazon. She is bright and works to discover why the plants are struggling. Will anyone listen to the 17 year old? Joann also falls in love with a local worker causing all kinds of social and political issues. Will love win? Will the rubber plantation succeed? Jungle of Ashes is based on true events and is very good historical fiction. As a lifelong Michigander, of course I knew about Henry Ford, but I knew very little about the Fordlandia project. I looked forward to reading this work because of the Michigan connections. I was not disappointed.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Audiobook. This book was well written and Carolyn Hewitt did a fantastic job narrating. Her accents were spot on and she covered the various characters well. I look forward to other works by Brynn Barineau.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Audiobook. This book was well written and Carolyn Hewitt did a fantastic job narrating. Her accents were spot on and she covered the various characters well. I look forward to other works by Brynn Barineau.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow! For fans of Kristin Hannah type Historical Fiction novels, this is for you! I was a bit surprised by the title and kept thinking throughout that a more appropriate title would be Fordlandia in Amazon.
The novel is set in the late 1920’s when Henry Ford decided to build an Americanized factory in the middle of the Brazilian rainforest to produce rubber needed in his US factories. They had to purchase the land, clear it and then start from scratch planting trees and building the infrastructure necessary to house the workers and build plant facilities. You can imagine the difficulty that ensues with attempting such an endeavor in the Amazon rainforest. The author richly describes the setting and difficulties encountered through the lives of the plant managers, their families and the local workers hired for the operation. Throughout, a love story develops between the American manager’s daughter and a Brazilian worker. Ford’s hubris in attempting to implement such a “city” that is referred to throughout the book as Fordlandia is evident as he continually dismisses local culture and environment while pushing to implement “Ford” values of efficiency and thrift.
I found this novel captivating and hard to put down. It covered subject matter, the development of Fordlandia, of which I was completely unaware. By the way, I listened to the audio version of this book supplied for free as an advance copy by NetGalley. The narrator, Carolyn Hewitt, was fabulous as she seamlessly used multiple voices and accents to depict the various characters.
The novel is set in the late 1920’s when Henry Ford decided to build an Americanized factory in the middle of the Brazilian rainforest to produce rubber needed in his US factories. They had to purchase the land, clear it and then start from scratch planting trees and building the infrastructure necessary to house the workers and build plant facilities. You can imagine the difficulty that ensues with attempting such an endeavor in the Amazon rainforest. The author richly describes the setting and difficulties encountered through the lives of the plant managers, their families and the local workers hired for the operation. Throughout, a love story develops between the American manager’s daughter and a Brazilian worker. Ford’s hubris in attempting to implement such a “city” that is referred to throughout the book as Fordlandia is evident as he continually dismisses local culture and environment while pushing to implement “Ford” values of efficiency and thrift.
I found this novel captivating and hard to put down. It covered subject matter, the development of Fordlandia, of which I was completely unaware. By the way, I listened to the audio version of this book supplied for free as an advance copy by NetGalley. The narrator, Carolyn Hewitt, was fabulous as she seamlessly used multiple voices and accents to depict the various characters.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am a Michigander and an educator. I grew up familiar with a dose of knowledge about the history of Henry Ford, the automotive assembly line genius. I also learned the darkness of his less than human side as I filtered through educational resources for my fifth grade students to learn about him before they visited the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan for an awesome field trip in the culmination of their Elementary School career. I do highly recommend a visit to both venues. With a little coaching from my wise principal, I did not cross the story of Ford off the curriculum. Are there offensive truths in his history? Yes. But my principal reminded me that history is not about perfect people. It is about the truth of what they accomplished, and possibly a warning about who they were and how they sometimes attempted to abuse their power. And why success in one area of genius does not guarantee you are a hero to be blindly followed in other areas. Brynn Barineau does an exceptional job of revealing the truth about Ford's Rubber Farm experiment and at the same time gifts us with a story of families trying to live their lives as they are thrown into a no win power struggle. There is much to be learned here, now that the truth of what went wrong is revealed. A very relevant tale even in these modern times. I highly recommend Jungle of Ashes to lovers of historic fiction or of stories with themes of womens' and family centered fiction - and the story is especially great if you are from Michigan.
March 21, 2026
Prior to reading this book, everything I knew about Henry Ford was gleaned from a single field trip to Greenfield Village in 7th grade and The Day John Henry Died by the Drive-By Truckers.
The existence of Fordlandja was entirely unknown to me. And that’s part of what’s so great about this novel: Even if you’re more informed about Ford history than I was, this still remains a really original subject for an Historical Fiction novel.
The descriptive content and immersive sense of place in this book are very well rendered, especially early in the novel. Barineau really gives us an idea of what it was like to be there in terms of both era and location.
The plot is mostly a good one, though it’s a lot stronger in the first half than the second. If I have a criticism of this book it’s that it spends far too much time on teenage romance, though for the record I was certainly rooting for Jo and Rafael.
But it’s really Jo’s individual story that deserves pride of place here, and though the narrative wanders off into the central romantic relationship more than I would have liked, for the most part it’s Jo and her evolution as a budding scientist and academic that take center stage, as it should be.
In all, terrific atmosphere, a truly original setting, and a lovely story that ends just how I wanted it to, followed by a delightful author’s note.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
The existence of Fordlandja was entirely unknown to me. And that’s part of what’s so great about this novel: Even if you’re more informed about Ford history than I was, this still remains a really original subject for an Historical Fiction novel.
The descriptive content and immersive sense of place in this book are very well rendered, especially early in the novel. Barineau really gives us an idea of what it was like to be there in terms of both era and location.
The plot is mostly a good one, though it’s a lot stronger in the first half than the second. If I have a criticism of this book it’s that it spends far too much time on teenage romance, though for the record I was certainly rooting for Jo and Rafael.
But it’s really Jo’s individual story that deserves pride of place here, and though the narrative wanders off into the central romantic relationship more than I would have liked, for the most part it’s Jo and her evolution as a budding scientist and academic that take center stage, as it should be.
In all, terrific atmosphere, a truly original setting, and a lovely story that ends just how I wanted it to, followed by a delightful author’s note.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Well researched and nicely written account of a little known chapter of American industrial-imperialist history, set in the company town--Fordlandia--that Henry Ford tried to establish in the Brazilian Amazon to exploit rubber. The author has drawn on the facts of history to great effect as the backdrop to the main story about two young lovers whose romance must be hidden from their families, both of whom would disapprove. Their cross-cultural romance faces the expected difficulties, compounded by the tough circumstances of Fordlandia itself, the dangers of the Amazon rain forest, and the social and political upheaval taking place in Brazil in the 1930s. The young characters--Joanna and Rafael--are appealing in their intelligence and ambition, though somewhat annoyingly naive. The reader is given a glimpse of the adults they have developed into with an epilogue that checks in with them in the 1970s. Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone who has never heard of Ford's exploits in Brazil. It's a fascinating episode. I would have given this book five stars had the author gone more deeply into the social aspects (the exploitation of the workers, the colonial mentality of the management, how horrific the circumstances of most of the workers must have been). The social aspects are certainly written about, but more as set dressing rather than the felt reality of the characters in the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5⭐️
I went into this book knowing just a hint of the tale of Fordlandia and a bit of first hand knowledge living in the Amazon. The humanization of this part of history was so immersive I was able to visualize and lose myself in the narrative.
I'm so glad Brynn Barineau left all of the utterly unbelievable but completely real examples of harm that can befall you simply from existing in that environment. Seeing the Amazon in person is so overwhelming, but it is absolutely scary AF (Snakes, panthers, spiders, and mosquitos are only the beginning).
The people are what makes life along the river beautiful. Just be warned, you're about to read a story of some of the most welcoming people be trampled on my rich, white, egotistical men - it gets my blood boiling every time because they're not even well intended. It has always befuddled me how ethnocentric people can be when faced with their own ignorance. Plus when you put it together with their egos, it's unfathomable how willing they are to bring everything and everyone down instead of own up to the gaps of knowledge.
🎧 Carolyn Hewitt did a great job narrating, I was able to sink into the story and forget the world for a bit.
No spoilers or anything, but thank you for providing a satisfying conclusion to this story.
I went into this book knowing just a hint of the tale of Fordlandia and a bit of first hand knowledge living in the Amazon. The humanization of this part of history was so immersive I was able to visualize and lose myself in the narrative.
I'm so glad Brynn Barineau left all of the utterly unbelievable but completely real examples of harm that can befall you simply from existing in that environment. Seeing the Amazon in person is so overwhelming, but it is absolutely scary AF (Snakes, panthers, spiders, and mosquitos are only the beginning).
The people are what makes life along the river beautiful. Just be warned, you're about to read a story of some of the most welcoming people be trampled on my rich, white, egotistical men - it gets my blood boiling every time because they're not even well intended. It has always befuddled me how ethnocentric people can be when faced with their own ignorance. Plus when you put it together with their egos, it's unfathomable how willing they are to bring everything and everyone down instead of own up to the gaps of knowledge.
🎧 Carolyn Hewitt did a great job narrating, I was able to sink into the story and forget the world for a bit.
No spoilers or anything, but thank you for providing a satisfying conclusion to this story.
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