Reviews: The Man from Rio, Favela do Paulinho
Michel Wilson
The violent adventures that the hero Driss faces alongside his friend Paulinho in the favelas of Rio are captivating and masterfully described. The author skillfully conveys the tastes, the music and sounds, the smells…
Nicole Chillet
The author's sensitivity and passion for this country offer the reader a colorful journey with gentle sounds where we never leave Driss in his wanderings in this infinite Rio.
Brigitte David
Its title is surprising, disconcerting, and draws our imagination into the Amazonian wilderness of the early 1960s, following in the footsteps of Jean-Paul Belmondo and Françoise Dorléac… But Boumé Boubekeur and his companions from France, Brazil, and elsewhere, "The Man from Rio," are not film actors, and yet their life's adventure is an invitation to reflection, arousing curiosity, emotion, and tenderness as the pages turn. From adventure to misadventure, from encounter to encounter—among which the meeting with Paulinho holds a special place—Driss manages to find his way, and we leave him with regret, moved and happy to have shared a part of his journey… A must-read.
Sophie Songe
There is a lot of sincerity, humanity, and life in this novel which carries us along, pushes us to discovery with a gaze that is at once critical, tender, and always passionate.
An exceptional journey to discover!
Jonathan Ruimy
A beautiful book. A true journey and a genuine expression of sensitivity.
A true lover of Brazil. I traveled throughout the pages.
A must-read.
Wonderful City
He needed to write, to tell stories, to go "beyond" and here he does it beautifully by sharing with us his passion for Brazil (which he knows well), by making us discover, through the daily life of Driss's friends (the main character of the story) Rio de Janeiro and its "cariocas", by making us enter the "favela do Paulinho" torn between fear and anguish, drug trafficking and elite police troops.
Violence is ever-present, but the friendship, loyalty, unexpected richness of Driss's friends, their generosity, and the magnificent setting of this captivating city and its mythical landmarks make this book compelling. Boumé Boubekeur's debut novel is an ode to life's strength over death.
Elisabeth Slamani
From the very first pages, you're on your way to Rio.
Enjoy your reading. Have a good trip.
You will make discoveries about the country and perhaps about yourself.
This short note is to tell you that I really enjoyed Boumé Boubekeur's book "The Man from Rio", a book that takes us on a beautiful stroll through the city of Rio and introduces us to endearing characters, in an atmosphere that is sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always interesting.
Marie-Josèphe Canquery
@Cathy_lit_et_sort_aussi
Thanks to Boumé Boubekeur for L'Homme de Rio (first volume of @faveladopaulinho) and for this trip to Brazil and Rio in particular.
For me, having had the chance to visit Rio, I rediscovered the atmosphere, the ambiance of that city.
A journey therefore with language learning since a few words are slipped into the course of reading (translation at the end of the book for those who may have difficulties).
We discover all aspects of Brazil, the Copacabana side, the beaches, the wealthy population, the restaurants, the parties, but also the darker side with the favelas, drug trafficking, and weapons.
A complete immersion.
Literary blogger
A lovely stroll through Rio, a captivating and interesting book. I had a wonderful time reading it.