Life in a breath

Portugal, 1930s.

Salazar has just come to power and, with an iron fist, he is imposing order on the country. Portugal's way of life changes. Public finances are balanced, Beatriz Costa entertains at Parque Mayer, the PVDE silences the opposition.

Luís is an idealistic student who, at Bragança High School, meets Amélia's honey-coloured eyes. The love between the two will, however, be severely tested by three events that are beyond their control: the opposition of the girl's mother, an unexpected murder, and the Spanish Civil War.

Through the story of a passion that challenges the traditional values of conservative Portugal, this fascinating novel transports us to the fiery years in which the Estado Novo was forged.

With A vida num sopro, José Rodrigues dos Santos brings the great novel back to Portuguese literature.