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Claudia
The news of the intensified resistance by the Indian Government to liberate Goa from Portuguese rule has caused sudden distress, turmoil and conflict in Claudia’s life. When she had her first encounter with Damiáno, the attractive son of her Portuguese master, she never imagined their meetings would grow so intimate. Amidst advancing armed forces, blasting bridges, a bombarded Dabolim airport, departing Portuguese families and chaos, Claudia needs to consider the offer made by her Portuguese lover, Damiáno, to escape to Portugal as a servant girl where their covert affair can continue.
Much relies on Claudia’s choice: the call is urgent and decisive. Will Claudia abandon her family’s honour and choose forbidden love? Will she proceed with an arranged marriage to Ferrao, the rich sailor from her local community and end the social stigma her family has endured? Claudia, set in a Portuguese colonised Goa, a touching and uplifting story of a woman’s struggles and triumph of finding hope, will unravel the answers.
Much relies on Claudia’s choice: the call is urgent and decisive. Will Claudia abandon her family’s honour and choose forbidden love? Will she proceed with an arranged marriage to Ferrao, the rich sailor from her local community and end the social stigma her family has endured? Claudia, set in a Portuguese colonised Goa, a touching and uplifting story of a woman’s struggles and triumph of finding hope, will unravel the answers.
- GenresFiction
252 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 2018
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13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 26, 2018
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I received a copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
"Didn't you ever hear anyone say everything is fair in love and war? Similarly, war and love are fair everywhere. Wars happen. Just like love happens."
- Claudia, Sophia Lorena Benjamin
Claudia by Sophia Lorena Benjamin is the story about Claudia, a village girl from Goa, right after the Indian independence struggle. It is the perfect book to curl up and read for the weekend, what with all the beauty that's entrapped inside it. It has everything in it that would make a reader read on and one, including but not limited to a nice writing style, an easy enough language, a beautiful love story, the dilemma of doing what is right or wrong, the confusion of finding out what is right and what is wrong and so on. The book touches on various themes that a young and simple Indian girl can experience, especially a Goan girl who is in love with her Portuguese master—a forbidden love. Isn't that interesting?
What I liked the most about the book was the way the story was written and described. In other words, the descriptions were intact. It is a sweet and emotional story, with tremendous amount of romance added within it. I also liked Claudia, in particular. A brave strong girl, with a clever mind, seeking love and attention. However, what I loved the most about the book was its ending. For the major part, I was beginning to believe that she would follow what she believes is love, forgetting about her family and all of her family reputation. But then, when in the end, she lets go of this stupid notion and gets back to help her family—I swear, I have never been more proud. Not that following love is bad, but following it at the cost of rendering your parents helpless is a little something that I can never get my head around.
What I didn't like, on the other hand, was the role of her family as displayed in the story. Yes, her mother had to be shown more because that's how Claudia initially meets her Portuguese lover, but the rest of them were nowhere to be seen. She said that she loved her grandmother the most, but I couldn't find that anywhere. I guess the book could have been made a little more interesting if the family's role and influence in her life had been depicted easily, that would have made the stakes more high—which love did she seek more - the family love or the lust she had for her Portuguese master? Her sisters, especially could have had a far greater role - mean Bula and soft Jakin. They were never displayed until something happened.
Overall though, it was a nice heart-warming story of a young girl's indecisiveness about what is right and what is wrong—something, a lot many people might enjoy.
I received a copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
"Didn't you ever hear anyone say everything is fair in love and war? Similarly, war and love are fair everywhere. Wars happen. Just like love happens."
- Claudia, Sophia Lorena Benjamin
Claudia by Sophia Lorena Benjamin is the story about Claudia, a village girl from Goa, right after the Indian independence struggle. It is the perfect book to curl up and read for the weekend, what with all the beauty that's entrapped inside it. It has everything in it that would make a reader read on and one, including but not limited to a nice writing style, an easy enough language, a beautiful love story, the dilemma of doing what is right or wrong, the confusion of finding out what is right and what is wrong and so on. The book touches on various themes that a young and simple Indian girl can experience, especially a Goan girl who is in love with her Portuguese master—a forbidden love. Isn't that interesting?
What I liked the most about the book was the way the story was written and described. In other words, the descriptions were intact. It is a sweet and emotional story, with tremendous amount of romance added within it. I also liked Claudia, in particular. A brave strong girl, with a clever mind, seeking love and attention. However, what I loved the most about the book was its ending. For the major part, I was beginning to believe that she would follow what she believes is love, forgetting about her family and all of her family reputation. But then, when in the end, she lets go of this stupid notion and gets back to help her family—I swear, I have never been more proud. Not that following love is bad, but following it at the cost of rendering your parents helpless is a little something that I can never get my head around.
What I didn't like, on the other hand, was the role of her family as displayed in the story. Yes, her mother had to be shown more because that's how Claudia initially meets her Portuguese lover, but the rest of them were nowhere to be seen. She said that she loved her grandmother the most, but I couldn't find that anywhere. I guess the book could have been made a little more interesting if the family's role and influence in her life had been depicted easily, that would have made the stakes more high—which love did she seek more - the family love or the lust she had for her Portuguese master? Her sisters, especially could have had a far greater role - mean Bula and soft Jakin. They were never displayed until something happened.
Overall though, it was a nice heart-warming story of a young girl's indecisiveness about what is right and what is wrong—something, a lot many people might enjoy.
August 16, 2018
Claudia by Sophia Lorena Benjamin was sent to be by the publisher, Niyogi Books. Thanks to the publisher, I read my first book by the author and I’m glad I did. The book is a very easy and interesting read and definitely would make you want to take a trip to Goa! Well, if it is Goa then I’m ready any time of the year but with this book, I could picture the vintage lifestyle of the bygone era, that I loved!
Summary
The book is about Claudia who lives with her family in Goa. The story is set in 1961 when Goa was still a part of Portugal. Amidst the political tug of war between the Portuguese and Indians, Claudia’s life carries on along its uneventful routine. Until she meets the very handsome, Damiano, at whose house she works. They have a loving relationship but then rumor spreads that the Portuguese will have to leave India and go back. Being a simple village girl, but fearless in her own right, Claudia is torn between the love of her life and her duties.
What I Liked
I loved the story line! It was a well written tale of the protagonist and also the way of life of Goans back then was beautifully set as the background. It is a sweet, emotional story and I enjoyed the descriptions and the routines of the people from the era.
I especially liked the way the author had sketched the character of Claudia. She is this brave and clever girl but not someone who is reckless in any way. Her feelings for Damiano and her family, her hesitations and indecision made the story real and heart touching.
What I Did Not Like
It is simple story and I didn’t find anything glaringly incorrect. The only thing I would probably have wanted to change, was the cover. It could have been made more attractive.
Other Details
The book, a standalone, paints a quaint picture of the Portuguese Goa. It isn’t much about how the Portuguese ruled Goa but just about one of the couples who has to undergo the impact of the drifts between them.
Would I Recommend it?
Yes! I thought the story and the writing were excellent and I would highly recommend it!
*** This book was sent to me by Niyogi Books in exchange for an honest review. ***
Summary
The book is about Claudia who lives with her family in Goa. The story is set in 1961 when Goa was still a part of Portugal. Amidst the political tug of war between the Portuguese and Indians, Claudia’s life carries on along its uneventful routine. Until she meets the very handsome, Damiano, at whose house she works. They have a loving relationship but then rumor spreads that the Portuguese will have to leave India and go back. Being a simple village girl, but fearless in her own right, Claudia is torn between the love of her life and her duties.
What I Liked
I loved the story line! It was a well written tale of the protagonist and also the way of life of Goans back then was beautifully set as the background. It is a sweet, emotional story and I enjoyed the descriptions and the routines of the people from the era.
I especially liked the way the author had sketched the character of Claudia. She is this brave and clever girl but not someone who is reckless in any way. Her feelings for Damiano and her family, her hesitations and indecision made the story real and heart touching.
What I Did Not Like
It is simple story and I didn’t find anything glaringly incorrect. The only thing I would probably have wanted to change, was the cover. It could have been made more attractive.
Other Details
The book, a standalone, paints a quaint picture of the Portuguese Goa. It isn’t much about how the Portuguese ruled Goa but just about one of the couples who has to undergo the impact of the drifts between them.
Would I Recommend it?
Yes! I thought the story and the writing were excellent and I would highly recommend it!
*** This book was sent to me by Niyogi Books in exchange for an honest review. ***
August 5, 2021
It is Claudia's daily routine to get out
of the house before the crack of dawn & crowing of rooster cautiously to meet her love Damiano, the only son of Portugese household in which she is working as a maid. Despite the fear of being caught pounding in her heart, she never hesitates to meet him & spend the lonely time in that untimely hour when the whole village is in deep slumber, an otherwise place of watchful hawking eyes.
'Claudia' by Sophia Lorena Benjamin is set up in a quintessential Portuguese ruled rural landscape of yesterday's Goa called Oroshim. It is a typical village which has its own standards written & assigned to each & every girl/woman. The village having seen women from decades getting lured & trapped by handsome Portugese men & it's repurcussions, it had entitled some harsh & grave punishments like ostracism to the family of the girl as a whole. There desires & wishes of girls were overpowered or to the least concealed for the sake of protecting honour & privelige. Still such outcasted families on the lines of girl crossing her boundaries are a few , girls who maintain trysts are handful & Claudia's family is one of them.
Claudia is a gullible & charming teenager who is the youngest among three girls of an outcasted family thanks to her two elder sisters. Her drunkard father, hardworking mother & their well wishers now look forward to Claudia's marriage so that the family retains its past reverence & respect in the soceity. Struck between her infatuation turned love with Daminao & the family privilege, Claudia is now to decide which direction to take.
The political strain in the relation between India & Portugal to liberate Goa slides continuously in the backdrop. Besides the tensions of war, the book gives an outline of how Goans dearly adapted & inculcated European style of living & cuisines in their walks of life till date.
Also the author doesn't try to overshadow a rural teenage girl's fickle & confused attitude in the character design of Claudia. Though I wished her to be a bit matured, later I realised after all Claudia is a mere 13-14 years teenager like any of that age who stumbles to take timely & steady decisions. She is not a perfect protogonist , she shares own flaws due to the poverty & predicament of the family.
There are a few let downs here and there where the plot & narration could be even more gripping & interesting. The author could have taken more page space towards the end for clear establishment of Claudia's thought process in the hiatus of her life. Neverthless it is a decent read with beautiful writing & vivid descriptions of rural Goan landside acquainting us adequately with their harvest festivals, their ways of living, their mundanes & merries, their wedding ceremonies and their food & feasts.
of the house before the crack of dawn & crowing of rooster cautiously to meet her love Damiano, the only son of Portugese household in which she is working as a maid. Despite the fear of being caught pounding in her heart, she never hesitates to meet him & spend the lonely time in that untimely hour when the whole village is in deep slumber, an otherwise place of watchful hawking eyes.
'Claudia' by Sophia Lorena Benjamin is set up in a quintessential Portuguese ruled rural landscape of yesterday's Goa called Oroshim. It is a typical village which has its own standards written & assigned to each & every girl/woman. The village having seen women from decades getting lured & trapped by handsome Portugese men & it's repurcussions, it had entitled some harsh & grave punishments like ostracism to the family of the girl as a whole. There desires & wishes of girls were overpowered or to the least concealed for the sake of protecting honour & privelige. Still such outcasted families on the lines of girl crossing her boundaries are a few , girls who maintain trysts are handful & Claudia's family is one of them.
Claudia is a gullible & charming teenager who is the youngest among three girls of an outcasted family thanks to her two elder sisters. Her drunkard father, hardworking mother & their well wishers now look forward to Claudia's marriage so that the family retains its past reverence & respect in the soceity. Struck between her infatuation turned love with Daminao & the family privilege, Claudia is now to decide which direction to take.
The political strain in the relation between India & Portugal to liberate Goa slides continuously in the backdrop. Besides the tensions of war, the book gives an outline of how Goans dearly adapted & inculcated European style of living & cuisines in their walks of life till date.
Also the author doesn't try to overshadow a rural teenage girl's fickle & confused attitude in the character design of Claudia. Though I wished her to be a bit matured, later I realised after all Claudia is a mere 13-14 years teenager like any of that age who stumbles to take timely & steady decisions. She is not a perfect protogonist , she shares own flaws due to the poverty & predicament of the family.
There are a few let downs here and there where the plot & narration could be even more gripping & interesting. The author could have taken more page space towards the end for clear establishment of Claudia's thought process in the hiatus of her life. Neverthless it is a decent read with beautiful writing & vivid descriptions of rural Goan landside acquainting us adequately with their harvest festivals, their ways of living, their mundanes & merries, their wedding ceremonies and their food & feasts.
July 22, 2019
The story is revolved around the small village girl, ‘ Claudia’. Claudia is from Goa. The story is set in 1961, after independence when goa was still the part of Portuguese rules. Claudia is a clever and brave girl. She fell in love with her master, who is Portuguese, ‘Damiano’.
But she sacrificed her love for her parents, for her family. Claudia gave up on her love and goes back to her family to help them in crisis. I loved that part the most. Like every other girl, Claudia is also stuck between her love and family.
I really liked this book. This was one of the simple and beautiful books I have ever read. The story is filled with emotions, love and is the heart touching. I like the way the author has presented the story. The narration is totally engaging. It is a simple read with simple language. The author has crafted all the characters well but I liked Claudia’s character more. The author has portrayed each situation really well.
Grab this wonderful book to find out more about Claudia.
But she sacrificed her love for her parents, for her family. Claudia gave up on her love and goes back to her family to help them in crisis. I loved that part the most. Like every other girl, Claudia is also stuck between her love and family.
I really liked this book. This was one of the simple and beautiful books I have ever read. The story is filled with emotions, love and is the heart touching. I like the way the author has presented the story. The narration is totally engaging. It is a simple read with simple language. The author has crafted all the characters well but I liked Claudia’s character more. The author has portrayed each situation really well.
Grab this wonderful book to find out more about Claudia.
August 30, 2018
Claudia is a well written fiction novel which makes you very nostalgic about Portuguese Goa bygone era. The author has touched 2 major aspects in this book which is; the beautiful Goan culture and customs which sadly is not seen in this modern times and the Goan recipes which the author has beautifully blended well in the story. Once I started reading the book, it was difficult for me to put it down. After I finished reading, I felt a sense of nostalgia thinking of the little that I remembered as a kid of the simple and humble life we had and the stories my grandparents would tell us fondly about the Portuguese bygone era. Such a treat.
I highly recommended reading this book.
I hope and eagerly look forward for more novels from Sophia Lorena Benjamin.
I highly recommended reading this book.
I hope and eagerly look forward for more novels from Sophia Lorena Benjamin.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews