My orange tree file

A classic of Brazilian literature, with adaptations for television, cinema and theatre, O Meu Pé de Laranja Lima is one of those books that mark an era. Released in 1968, it is a strongly autobiographical story, which demonstrates the hand of an experienced writer, aware of the effect that his scenes and the composition of his characters can have on readers. The protagonist Zezé is 6 years old and lives in a modest neighborhood in the north of Rio de Janeiro. The father is unemployed, and the family is struggling. The boy lives up to the task, without ever conforming to the limitations that the world imposes on him – he travels with his imagination, plays, explores, discovers, responds to adults, gets into trouble, causes small disasters. The beatings that his father and older sister give him are his torment, to the point of making him want to give up on life. However, the attachment to the world that you have happily created always speaks louder. There is just no remedy for pain, for loss. And Zeze will discover that very soon. Joy and sadness could not be better combined than in these pages. And that, if not explained, justifies the immense popularity achieved by the book.