A review by serendipitysbooks
Book of Rio by Toni Marques, Katie Slade

informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

 I’ve long been intrigued by the Reading the City series by Comma Press, in which they select or commission short stories by ten different authors from one city, thus providing multiple perspectives which combine to highlight the essence of the city. The prompt of Brazil was the perfect opportunity to pick up The Book of Rio. My favourite was from the perspective of an exhausted, overworked electrician working on the Rio-Niteròi bridge and struggling to meet impossible deadlines. Let’s just say if I ever visit Rio I might be a little leery about that bridge. Another story that caught my eye followed a young woman desperate to escape her humble beginnings and live a glittering, successful life. Unfortunately all does not go as she wished. An interesting collection, even if not all the stories were to my taste.