Maria, Maria: A Novel

by Jennifer Galvão

Amidst the vast, sunlit cornfields of Portugal, Maria Lucilia receives a letter. The note is from her husband, Benedito da Silva, who is in exile – serving a punishing seven-year sentence as a fisherman with the White Fleet. But Bene cannot read or write.

In the icy port town of St John’s, Newfoundland, another woman welcomes Bene into her life and composes a letter to a stranger across the sea. Maria Alvares, a widowed shopkeeper, knows the uneasy power she wields – the other woman, lending a voice for the man she loves to reach the wife he left behind.

Though thousands of miles stand between them, the two Marias are drawn irresistibly to know each other. Slowly, in the margins and footnotes of the letters, a deep connection fears, hopes, and secrets neither woman has spoken aloud. What grows between them has the power to sustain – or undo – them both.

Intimate, atmospheric, and infused with a powerful yearning, Maria, Maria is inspired by a piece of the author’s own family history. Jennifer Galvao’s debut novel is a story of hope and endurance – in which the deepest bonds form not between lovers, but rivals.

'Sweeping yet intimate, heart-breaking yet hopeful, Maria, Maria made me gasp and cry more than once. This is a story to be completely swept up in, with writing so tender it hurts.'
JENNIE GODFREY

Jennifer Galvao 2027 (P) Penguin Audio 2027

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Marriage, Historical, Adult

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 2, 2027

Reviews

[Laura Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful, tender, yet tragic, character-driven novel about love, loss, and friendships in different forms. It's a slow burn that catches you and immerses you in the worlds of each Maria. Thank you to @penguinrandomhouse @Hogarthbooks and @netgalley for the eArc.

[Randall Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

1949 Portugal. A young farmer, Bene, newly married to Maria Lucillia, a 17 year old convent-raised orphan, kills a member of a local influential family as the man is attacking his wife. To avoid reprisal, he flees Portugal and enters a seven year enlistment with a fleet of cod fishing ships which will take him to Newfoundland. While Maria contends with a life with her in-laws, without husband but not widowed, Bene finds comfort in an older Newfoundland shop owner and widow, also named Maria. Bene is illiterate; Maria scribes letters from him to his wife and shares with him the replies. For the next 4 years, the threads of these three lives are woven together by a correspondence and developing relationship between the two women. In elegant prose, Galvao explores the depths of hardship, anger, loneliness and love. A praise-worthy debut novel.

[Kate Belt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this introspective, psychological novel that makes you think about your own moral code. It’s slow paced and deeply character driven, stirring expectations without setting expectations. Instead, you have space to decide how to judge the three main characters’ relationships with each other. You have the wife, Maria (who goes by Celia), whose husband, Bene, is banished from their Portuguese town after an incident. Then you have Maria who lives in the port where Bene spends his time between fishing expeditions. Bene is not literate, so the two women end up writing to one another about Bene and then share more of themselves. I first heard about this one on Book Riot podcast, Deals, Deals and received an ebook ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest revuew.

[Bobbie]

I want to thank Net Galley and Penguin Random House for allowing me to read and review the ARC of Maria, Maria by author Jennifer Galveo.
Some strange words, percarity and rictus!
A death that needn’t have happened starts off a chain of events! Bene is forced to leave his new wife, Maria, and the town where he grew up! And then, where he has a contract as a fisherman he becomes involved with another Maria! The story begins in 1949 and the chapters go back and forth between the two women until the end in 1955. It’s important to note that Bene never learned to read or write and is dependent on someone else to read the letters sent by the two Maria’s!
Left me with a lot of questions. Too many!
This is a woman’s book.
Maria, Maria is scheduled for publication 02/02/2027.

[Elena M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!

This book definitely shines in terms of its reflective tone and in-depth character portrayals. The exploration of the complex relationship between Maria Alvares (Bene's lover) and Maria Lucilia (Bene's wife) was very well executed, as well as the relationships with other side characters such as Rafael and Camila. That being said, I unfortunately did not really connect with the characters and some of the plot points felt overly dramatic compared to the otherwise quiet tone of the book. Further, the ending was extremely disappointing and felt rushed.

[Howard Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maria, Maria is a soap opera in writing. The novel is replete with murders, wife beating, sibling rivalry, affairs and unfaithfulness, a mother refusing to speak, a boat marooned in ice, etc. A portion of the story is told through letters between a wife and a mistress. Despite all of this, the reader becomes involved with the characters and is forced to continue reading to a somewhat unexpected conclusion.
I thank NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to its publication.

[Alissa Manning-Telisak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Maria, Maria. The story follows two women with the same name whose lives become connected in ways neither of them expects. While they’re both in love with the same man, the heart of the book is really about the two Marias and everything they’re willing to endure in search of a better life. I found myself feeling for both of them, even when their choices were frustrating. It’s an emotional, character-driven story with strong women at its center

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read Maria, Maria.

[E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn into this story and really enjoyed the first half. But it slowed down considerably in the second half. The writing is exceptional but I couldn’t muster much feeling for many of the characters, who seemed very troubled. I didn’t understand the relationship between Celia and Rafa and Rafa and his brother. There seemed to be much that was unsaid. And the ending came about very abruptly. I did enjoy the descriptions of fishing life in St. John’s.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC and my honest opinion.

[Rosaline · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gorgeous novel. Gripping all the way through, and a beautiful example of complicated love - romantic, platonic, and self. Beautiful storytelling. Really excited to see what she does next.

[Mary Fabrizio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was unexpectedly compelling. It's slow paced and character driven which would normally disappoint me. Somehow though, the premise and the introspection kept me interested. The writing is beautiful as well. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ollie Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

completely and truly exceptional, 2027 is looking bright bright bright. the nuance afforded to the relationship of the two Marias was gorgeous; I hope this one wins lots of prizes and love next year