Rossio Square N.°59

by Jeannine Johnson Maia

In a city filled with intrigue and betrayal, Rossio Square N.°59 is a story of lost dreams, infinite hope, and two young people caught up in change they never sought or wanted.

April 1941: As Hitler’s army marches across Europe, 17-year-old Claire flees to Lisbon alone. But the Portuguese capital isn’t the safe haven she expected, and when two refugee children she promised to take care of go missing, she sets out on a dangerous search to find them.

Antonio, an aspiring artist and occasional pickpocket, waits tables in a café that's a wartime hotspot for plotters and spies. When a German refugee he's befriended there is murdered, Antonio knows he owes it to his friend to find out why.

Amid the chaos of WWII Lisbon, their investigations intertwine as Claire and Antonio uncover a secret that others have died to keep. What they don’t know is that it could cost them everything.

Genres: Portugal, Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical

238 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2021

About the author

Jeannine Johnson Maia is the author of two historical novels that take place in Portugal: 'The Filigree Master's Apprentice,' a story of 19th-century Porto (published as 'O Rapaz do Douro' in Portuguese), and 'Rossio Square N.° 59,' a novel of WWII Lisbon (published as 'Praça do Rossio, N.° 59' in Portuguese). Before moving to Portugal, she worked in Belgium and Washington, studied in the United States and Italy, taught English in France, and spent a year in Cape Verde. She lives in Vila Nova de Gaia, near Porto, a city she finds irresistibly photogenic.

Reviews

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rossio Square Number 59 is a coming of age story while the whole world was holding its breath.

Originally published in Portugal, I am so thrilled it is available for the English speaking market because I and so many others loved it!

If you have ever been, will be going or wish to travel to Lisbon, Portugal (or know someone who has) Rossio Square Number 59 is just the book for you. Jeannine Johnson Maya has captured details of Lisbon in both time and space that you could walk right past without her observations. I gave this book to my mother-in-law for the holidays and she loved it as much as my teenage son and I did. This isn’t just another WWII story, this is Lisbon’s WWII story and one I haven’t heard before.

[Lidia Craveiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este livro foi uma viagem à década de quarenta em plena guerra mundial num cenário passado em Lisboa. Muitas das pesquisas que a autora fez, recordaram-me as minhas pesquisas para o meu romance "Helena", também passado nessa época e com um tema parecido. Gostei imenso da narrativa, da forma como a autora descreve as personagens e o cenário, e historicamente está muito bem enquadrado. Para além desses aspectos, a autora coloca a nu a "neutralidade" de Portugal, o que me parece muito bem. Recomendo vivamente este romance de uma autora estrangeira, a viver em Portugal, cuja visão é bastante interessante no meu ponto de vista.

[Ana Dâmaso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nada à espera. Adorei!

[Ana Goulart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apesar de inspirado em factos históricos e assente numa pesquisa referida no final do livro, não apreciei muito a pequena história destes personagens que aqui são apresentados. Não me parece provável que, em tão poucos dias, a rapariga, personagem central, da história, fizesse tudo o que fez. Talvez tudo tenha que ser visto num outro plano, mais simbólico - as ações dos personagens retratam as dificuldades que os refugiados encontravam em Lisboa, num país supostamente neutro, mas onde eram vítimas de jogos de interesse das várias potências, que decorriam de forma mais ou menos velada.
Apesar disso, gostei do final, foi um final de esperança.

[Adelaide Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uma agradável surpresa, a autora não sendo portuguesa narra os acontecimentos de tal forma que nos faz sentir os sentimentos e ambiente vividos em Lisboa na época.
Foi uma leitura frenética

[Paula Reis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sabe bem ler Português e andar por locais que nos são familiares. História triste, mas de esperança

[Suzann C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book – easy to read and entertaining - makes you want to visit Lisbon!

Loved it - well done! Have wanted to read the English version of this book for some time and it was well worth the wait. Great balance between a fictional story, real places and historical events. This book will appeal to many types of readers. It has mystery, history, drama, romance and intrigue. The author does an exceptional job of pulling the reader into the picture with descriptions to let you see and feel what the characters are experiencing. Loved the style of going back and forth between the characters and seeing things from Antonio’s and Claire’s different points of view. Perfect length to be entertained and not wanting it to end.

<> - love that I got a happy ending and can’t wait for a sequel to find out what happens next!

[Maria Carmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic first book for an Author whom I had no idea about! The story is well researched, with incredibly vivid characters and the beautiful Lisbon scenery as a background, during World War II. If it is true that some of the moves by Nazis and the Secret Police were sinister, the city's beauty shines through nevertheless.
Claire and António, Gray and Vincent, and even the deceased Vincent make this book a delight to read...
I recommend!!!

Maria Carmo,

Lisbon 19 September 2018.

[Katherine Scholfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant page turner, set in war torn Lisbon. Part murder mystery, part spy drama, part love story, this novel transports the reader to the dark days of World War 2 in supposedly neutral Portugal. The reality, however, is inhabited by Gestapo operatives, the infamous Portuguese secret police (PVDE) and the torments endured by individuals with divided loyalties (their own families vs the good of society etc.) The bravery of the resistance fighters who risked their lives to help the many refugees fleeing from Nazi oppression shine a light on the values of decency which still prevailed in the worst of circumstances. A cautionary tale which still resonates in today's world.

[Babete · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Continente 50 % )

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this moving, suspenseful, well researched novel by first time author Jeannine Johnson-Maia. The story of Claire, a French refugee who comes face to face with WW2 Lisbon in all of its complexity, is a real page-turner.
Johnson-Maia's portait of the capital during this period is meticulously depicted and convincingly described. But this is not a book about landscapes, it is about love and loss, and the incredible risks that people at the time took trying to help those in danger.
A great read for lovers of historical fiction, or anyone with an interest in Portugal or WW2.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeannine Johnson Maia's novel is so deftly written. Her sense of detail and setting bring wartime Lisbon alive. I could sense the confusion and fear, but also feel the sunshine and smell the air. I'd never read a war story that takes place in Portugal, so this was not only entertaining, it was also informative. There's something in this novel for everyone--history, romance, intrigue! Highly recommended!

[Peter McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

WWII Lisbon, Portugal, the last free port in Europe is still not a place where you can let your guard down. German spies are seemingly everywhere and you never know who you can trust. For a French refugee named Claire, this is certainly no place to find love, and yet, it finds her all the same. But in such uncertain times, life must take a backseat to survival.

“Rossio Square N.°59” from Jeannine Johnson Maia is a love story at its core, but also a tale of intrigue, espionage and survival in WWII Europe. Johnson Maia captures the instability and unrest in the region at the time beautifully, really gripping at your heartstrings and leaving you with an uneasy feeling that life will never again be the same. The characters are thrust into several compromising situations, struggling to balance between their own self-interests and the interests of the greater good, as I’m sure many people had to during this period in time. Against the backdrop of the Nazi regime, the story is a rather intimate telling of the two protagonist’s quest for survival against insurmountable odds.

[Jennifer Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

INCREDIBLE!!!
I intentionally started reading this novel on April 5th, as the first chapter begins April 5, 1941.
I was immediately transported 80 years back in time to experience life during war time in Portugal. It was like a time travel experience, a first visit to Portugal, and a great history lesson all in one!

AND WOW!!! Such a great read! I was immediately captured in chapter one and didn’t want to put the book down. I felt like I was right there in Portugal, experiencing all of the commotion of war time. The suspense was endless!

Since finishing the book, my mind has been traveling back and forth between 1941 and 2021. I keep talking to my husband about this book and how it’s given me a glimpse of what the refugees during that time lived, felt, and sacrificed to try to save themselves and others. This author is truly an amazing and gifted writer! Simply brilliant!

It’s a true masterpiece! I can’t wait to read Jeannine Johnson Maia’s next novel! ❤️

[Susana Margarida Jorge · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚12.2024
📚Praça do Rossio, Nº 59
📚Jeannine Johnson Maia
📚Casa das Letras
📚328pg
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


A história contada por Jeannine Maia neste Praça do Rossio é uma história de amor em tempos de Guerra, passada em Lisboa, entre Claire uma refugiada francesa de passagem por Lisboa que partirá para a América e António, um português descobre um segredo que não devia quando tenta perceber porque é que um cliente do café onde trabalha foi raptado e morto.
Ao longo do livro são relatadas diversas situações que mostram a neutralidade de Portugal, o clima de espionagem e tensão, entre quem tenta ir contra o regime e fazer mais do que é permitido.
Um bom romance histórico para quem gosta do género, aquele tipo de livros que considero leitura de conforto!


Personagens marcantes:
📚 Claire
📚 António

O que gostei:
📚 Enquadramento histórico
📚 Personagens bem construídas

O que não gostei:
📚 nada a apontar

[Sybil Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life in Portugal during WWII never crossed my mind. I am a lover of history and particularly the Second World War, but I had no previous knowledge of this countries experiences during this time. The book was well researched and is short enough to read on a weekend. It has a nice blend of intrigue and history and some surprising facts of the war, such as the Gestapo in Lisbon. I had never given it a thought that Germany took up residence in this country, but after reading this book, I remembered that Portugal was a "free" country and was the "jumping off" point for traveling to the US from Europe. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it has inspired me to do further research & reading on Portugal's role in WWII. Plus, I have visited this lovely country and it was fun to relive some of the places I recognized.

[Kathy Harms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Lisbon in 1941, this story weaves together history and a compelling coming of age tale through Antonio and Claire, two teenagers who quickly learn that not everything is as it seems during wartime, even in a neutral country like Portugal.
Their stories are gripping, as they become caught in a world of secrets, spies, and the PVDE, the Portuguese secret police of the time.

Jeannine Johnson Maia masterfully describes Lisbon, the streets, the cafés, the apartments, and portrays Antonio and Claire in such a compelling way, it’s hard to put the book down.

I wasn’t just drawn in and entertained as I read this story, I learned something about the role of Portugal in WWII as well. It was a great read.

[Muriel Van Averbeke]

I have just read Rossio Square , 59 during my convalescence, recovering from a surgery... and that was the perfect pick : well written but easy to read (English is not my mother tongue) , with great characters and very interesting historical setting... I became really attached to Claire and Antonio and wish that there would be a second book to know what will happen to Claire in New-York and if Antonio will make it safe through the war (and will they manage to keep in touch?)- and Claire’s family and uncle? Will they survive? The plot is great!

[Paula Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story and could actually envision where much of it took place since I recently traveled to Lisbon, to Rossio sq. and surrounding neighborhoods. Although the characters and plot were fictional, the historical setting and context were well researched, intriguing and the suspense felt very real. I learned a lot from this story. The characters became so real in my mind that i found myself needing some closure on some of their fates in the end. I believe a sequel would be well received.

[Eliska · Rating 4 out of 5]

frustrating!

I found this book terribly frustrating. Watching as two teenagers behave in a very teenager way, despite real danger and many warnings, was nerve-wracking! I hope real teenagers in 1940 would have had more sense, but I suspect many didn’t. Perhaps those of us with tweens should have them read this as a warning: see what happens when you think you know best??!! That said, I’ll probably read a sequel if one comes out; I want to know how Antonio makes out if nothing else!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Young Adult novel is set in dark times, yet it is a heart-warming story of resilience and friendship and the ties that bind. The pacing, character development, and prose are excellent and the tale very engaging. There are surprising twists and turns throughout, particularly at the end. For people particularly interested in historical fiction, Rossio's setting in war-time Lisbon will provide additional entertainment. I really enjoyed it - and hope for a sequel!

[Amy Bearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! As historical fiction, it was both entertaining and yet also very informative, focused on Portugal during WWII. The setting details are so specific and clear that I felt like I was there, and I enjoyed the rich character relationships. It's a real page turner--I hope there is a sequel!

[Laura Almiron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different perspective on WWII

First historical fiction I have read about Portugal during WWII and it was quite a story! Rich and poor refugees, secret police, resistance, threats of invasion, orphaned children, missing families...and that was all in just one week in April 1941! Well written and a fascinating peek at a different side of WWII.

[Allison Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engrossing story that really pulls the reader into the treacherous world of “neutral” Lisbon during WWI, to experience the deceit, brutality and betrayal, but also courage, resourcefulness and love in a city teeming with refugees and spies. I didn’t put it down until the last page… but I did gasp out loud and slam it shut at one point.

[Nika Teran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this wonderful historical young adult novel. The characters stole my heart. I wish I could follow Claire and Antonio on their journey after this story has ended - will I meet them again? Also, the historical detail was so well researched, I was completely immersed in the wartime Portugal. The plot was full of suspense! I highly recommend this book to young adults and adults.

[Inês Avelar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gostei mesmo muito deste livro! Um dos meus estilos preferidos são estes romances fictícios com contexto histórico e este livro foi dos melhores que já li nesse sentido. Cativante, fácil de ler e muito bem escrito!

[Amanhã Leio · Rating 4 out of 5]

leitura simples, numa simples história que espelha Lisboa nos anos 40, retrata uma história de ficção que deve ter sido semelhante algures, um amor que ficou na intenção, pois nem sempre nos finais felizes os apaixonados vivem juntos para sempre.

[CARLOS NEVES · Rating 4 out of 5]

No coração da cidade de Lisboa, a espionagem e a repressão em 1941. Uma história que se lê num ápice.

[Kay Embriaco]

A very interesting insight into Lisbon during WW2... Loved it

[Alda Delicado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uma história bem contada passada em Lisboa em 1941. Gostaria de ler mais sobre estes personagens, de saber o que lhes aconteceu depois.