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Dancing with Thieves: One Woman's Incredible Journey from the World of Theatre to the Streets, Slums and Prisons of São Paulo, Brazil
Cally Magalhães’ memoir is a gripping page-turner of an autobiography. With a novelist’s eye for descriptive detail, Cally invites us to accompany her on her astonishing journey from England to India and Estonia, and finally to São Paulo, Brazil. We join her as she follows a trail of signs and blessings to bring relief, hope and healing to people who need help, wherever they may be — in the streets, the favelas, the prisons or hidden under bridges. She describes in moving detail the transformational work of The Eagle Project, using psychodrama and Restorative Justice in Brazilian prisons. To read this book is to be inspired by the positive change one person can bring to so many individual lives – changing the world one person at a time. Cally has much to teach us about being fully present for all of life’s events and challenges. With hard-won wisdom and deep reflection, she describes a life based on faith and gratitude, encapsulated in her ringing sentence, ‘When you help people who have nothing, then you realise you have everything.’ Her memoir has lessons for us all about what it means to walk the Earth with grace and love.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 13, 2020
3 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 8, 2020
If I could rate this book 0/5, I would have done - I couldn’t read past the first 2 pages.
This book screams ‘white saviour’. I cannot believe it’s 2020 and we are still perpetuating colonialist ideologues? It’s shocking. The title is so deeply offensive, and the front cover is actually unbelievable! A popular image that would circulate across Europe during the colonial and early Victorian period, is typically that of a white missionary surrounded by black African children. Sound familiar?!
This book presents a one-dimensional view of the ‘problems and challenges that face Brazil and instils a sense of superiority of Western society. The whole two pages I read depict the native people as passive actors reliant on external aid which fuelled the colonial ‘Civilising Mission’.
Religion was used to justify colonial expansion and the subjugation of natives by claiming it was “God’s Mission”. But let’s not even get started on the religious aspects of the book, that’s a story for another day.
Who signed off on this? Who thought that this book would be a good idea? I’d love to know their thought process! The most offensive and uncomfortable I have ever had the misfortune to come across. How disappointing.
This book screams ‘white saviour’. I cannot believe it’s 2020 and we are still perpetuating colonialist ideologues? It’s shocking. The title is so deeply offensive, and the front cover is actually unbelievable! A popular image that would circulate across Europe during the colonial and early Victorian period, is typically that of a white missionary surrounded by black African children. Sound familiar?!
This book presents a one-dimensional view of the ‘problems and challenges that face Brazil and instils a sense of superiority of Western society. The whole two pages I read depict the native people as passive actors reliant on external aid which fuelled the colonial ‘Civilising Mission’.
Religion was used to justify colonial expansion and the subjugation of natives by claiming it was “God’s Mission”. But let’s not even get started on the religious aspects of the book, that’s a story for another day.
Who signed off on this? Who thought that this book would be a good idea? I’d love to know their thought process! The most offensive and uncomfortable I have ever had the misfortune to come across. How disappointing.
December 26, 2020
Cally eloquently describes her call to work among the poorest of poor in Brazil. She writes of suffering (of those she serves) and the heartaches (her own personal struggles) and yet gives glory to God for His goodness and faithfulness and for the many miracles He has done during her years of ministry.
A very inspiring read.
A very inspiring read.
October 28, 2020
Inspirational read. Would highly recommend. Could not put the book down!
A real life insight into the real struggles people are facing in South America. With the help of charities such as Callys Eagle Project, hope and a new way of life is being revealed to these vulnerable individuals.
A real life insight into the real struggles people are facing in South America. With the help of charities such as Callys Eagle Project, hope and a new way of life is being revealed to these vulnerable individuals.
April 12, 2021
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart…
Some of you reading this will recognise the verse from Paul’s letter to the Colossians in the bible, and this is the phrase that springs to mind when I read Cally Magalhães book. Cally seems to be one of those people who have been given gifts and relationships only to have then taken away from her by seemingly cruel fate. It’s a sign of her determination and character that she has never taken the easy path, and has risen above the setbacks that she has experienced. This book is testament to how she has continued to love and serve God.
Dancing with thieves is written in a style that reflects the energy she possesses. The reader is swept along, feeling the tragedy and the excitement, the sorrows and the joys of her life. After the shock of seeing extreme poverty in India, and then a period of training and discipleship, Cally felt the call to go to Brazil, although having read the book I feel more inclined to say that God shouted rather than called! It’s very clear that this was where He wanted Cally to be, ministering in the favelas in São Paulo. This is a story of danger and divine appointments, risk, faith, and redemption. There are some moments of real heartache and sadness in this book, there’s no sugar coating of life, but if you want to find out what it is to faithfully answer God’s calling on your life then I recommend you read “Dancing with thieves” and if you haven’t yet done so, seek God about the adventure and calling He has for your life.
Some of you reading this will recognise the verse from Paul’s letter to the Colossians in the bible, and this is the phrase that springs to mind when I read Cally Magalhães book. Cally seems to be one of those people who have been given gifts and relationships only to have then taken away from her by seemingly cruel fate. It’s a sign of her determination and character that she has never taken the easy path, and has risen above the setbacks that she has experienced. This book is testament to how she has continued to love and serve God.
Dancing with thieves is written in a style that reflects the energy she possesses. The reader is swept along, feeling the tragedy and the excitement, the sorrows and the joys of her life. After the shock of seeing extreme poverty in India, and then a period of training and discipleship, Cally felt the call to go to Brazil, although having read the book I feel more inclined to say that God shouted rather than called! It’s very clear that this was where He wanted Cally to be, ministering in the favelas in São Paulo. This is a story of danger and divine appointments, risk, faith, and redemption. There are some moments of real heartache and sadness in this book, there’s no sugar coating of life, but if you want to find out what it is to faithfully answer God’s calling on your life then I recommend you read “Dancing with thieves” and if you haven’t yet done so, seek God about the adventure and calling He has for your life.
December 16, 2020
Cally's story is so uplifting and I was in awe of how her desire and faith led her to have such an impact on so many people. The ability to trust that God will provide you with the necessities to help you through any situation is amazing, and how that led her to continue to support others before herself and her family.
The fact that after so many years people would come up to Cally and request to work with her in prison with the aim of bettering themselves is a testament to the wonderful work she was doing.
If you like memoirs then I would definitely recommend this book.
The fact that after so many years people would come up to Cally and request to work with her in prison with the aim of bettering themselves is a testament to the wonderful work she was doing.
If you like memoirs then I would definitely recommend this book.
November 2, 2020
This is a book you won’t want to put down. It shows how a young and very courageous woman felt the call of God to leave her comfortable life in the UK to help street kids in Brazil. Cally writes very engagingly and graphically about her life in Brazil, and how God led her to do psychodrama in prisons. This book is such an inspiration and is the sort of cringe-free book you can give to not yet Christians. I rate this book with Chasing the Dragon by Jackie Pullinger.
November 18, 2020
I have known Cally since I first came to Milton Keynes almost 30 years ago. This is a beautifully produced and written book; I did not know that she originally wanted to be a dancer! I find her writing very honest and the book is easy to read. There is a great set of photos!
I would be happy to give this book as a Christmas present to anyone, whatever their faith!
I would be happy to give this book as a Christmas present to anyone, whatever their faith!
October 19, 2020
A book so well written that it is very easy to read. The only book I have ever read in one go.
A blend of challenges and inspiritation based on the writer's own experience - I followed the highs and lows and was left waiting for the sequel.
A book I am recommending to all
A blend of challenges and inspiritation based on the writer's own experience - I followed the highs and lows and was left waiting for the sequel.
A book I am recommending to all
November 19, 2020
What an enjoyable and encouraging book it is.
Cally has a very engaging style that makes for easy reading and understanding.
I loved the use of “quotes” that allow readers to search out further reading.
That is very helpful. The book leaves little doubt that she has been called to Brazil.
Cally has a very engaging style that makes for easy reading and understanding.
I loved the use of “quotes” that allow readers to search out further reading.
That is very helpful. The book leaves little doubt that she has been called to Brazil.
March 17, 2021
This book was a very honest take on both missionary and social work. But more than that, it was so exemplary of what it means to suffer and trust God thru that. All the stories will hit you with a tonne of bricks. Trigger warning ⚠️ be prepared to hear some very uncomfortable truths about society.
November 26, 2022
Cally has visited my church and each time is truly inspirational giving the account of her work in São Paulo and how God has worked in the people she visits in the prisons and how their lives have been turned away from crime. I can't wait to see the film and to read her next book.
January 21, 2023
This book has inspired me so much. It is marvellous to read how someone can dedicate their life to helping people who have nothing to give in return. I would recommend It highly.
December 15, 2020
Dancing With Thieves By Cally Magalhães
There is no doubt about it, Cally is an incredible woman, who had dedicated her life to missionary work, from England to India to Estonia and finally to Brazil.
She is a devout Christian, which comes across on pretty much every page of this book, and part of her mission is to spread the word of God, I didnt realise this book was so religious until I started reading. I enjoyed the second half of the book more, when she got to Brazil and explained the work she did while there.
There is no doubt about it, Cally is an incredible woman, who had dedicated her life to missionary work, from England to India to Estonia and finally to Brazil.
She is a devout Christian, which comes across on pretty much every page of this book, and part of her mission is to spread the word of God, I didnt realise this book was so religious until I started reading. I enjoyed the second half of the book more, when she got to Brazil and explained the work she did while there.
January 5, 2021
This book was amazingly written. And it helps you understand how some are lucky and capable of helping others if we just listen. Her visiting another country has helped her help others in ways she did not imagine. I think this book gives hope that sometimes we are meant to do other things. Reading how she continues to help others regardless of her situation states that she is invested in lending a hand to those who need it.
October 17, 2020
Cally is one of those unique people who give up everything to following a calling no matter the cost. Her stories of working with the street kids of Sao Paulo and then helping young men in youth prisons restore their lives through her psychodrama program is a testimony is such an inspiring read that you cannot fail to be affected by it in some way or another.
December 22, 2020
I have to say this book was hard at times to read on a personal level, nothing to do with the story. The book plays heavily on faith that cally has in God and what her purpose in life is in Brazil. I went into it not realising it was so heavily implied into the reading. It was well written and I have admiration for everything Cally has been through and managed to achieve but felt for some readers this may be too religious.
September 19, 2025
One of the best Christian autobiographies/biographies this s year. Inspiring, Faith provoking and heartbreaking in equal measures. It’s a tough read at times due to the stories Cally shares. There’s amazing answers to prayer; God’s love in action and loss.
If I was to point out a tiny issue, I think Cally could have included more stories of the difficulties and challenges…was she ever the victim of crime? Etc
She does describe challenges but at times it feels a little too perfect.
I can’t wait to read her other book, will be recommending this to others and find some way to support the amazing work she does.
Recommend
If I was to point out a tiny issue, I think Cally could have included more stories of the difficulties and challenges…was she ever the victim of crime? Etc
She does describe challenges but at times it feels a little too perfect.
I can’t wait to read her other book, will be recommending this to others and find some way to support the amazing work she does.
Recommend
December 2, 2024
A memoir of a woman's calling to serve street children in Brazil and the miracles she witnessed when she created a life of service in Brazil. Unfortunately, there are hints of White Christian saviorism.
April 18, 2025
Very inspiring
Beautiful memoir. I was very inspired and encouraged by Cally. No place is better than in the center of God's will. She's doing excellent work for Him.
Beautiful memoir. I was very inspired and encouraged by Cally. No place is better than in the center of God's will. She's doing excellent work for Him.
February 10, 2023
Amazing book read in two days and bought as a gift for many people, inspiring!!!
I really recommend for those who appreciate what God can do through us when we want to serve him with all our heart.
I really recommend for those who appreciate what God can do through us when we want to serve him with all our heart.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews