A House Named Brazil

A House Named Brazil by Audrey Schulman is a literary fiction novel published by HarperCollins on September 1, 2000. This first edition spans 320 pages and is presented in English. The story begins when Fran, who has lived alone in a farmhouse since her mother abandoned her at fourteen, receives a phone call at six o’clock one evening. The call is from her mother, who, after four years of silence, begins to share family stories that draw Fran into an uneasy relationship marked by a mix of curiosity and frustration.
As the phone calls continue each night, readers will discover the rich tapestry of Fran’s family history, filled with tales of saints, murderers, and extraordinary characters. The narrative unfolds through these conversations, revealing a journey from a desolate Canadian farm to a vibrant life in the Florida swamplands. The themes of abandonment and familial bonds are explored against the backdrop of a sprawling house named Brazil, where the complexities of love, rivalry, and adventure come to life.
Official synopsis Publisher
When the phone rings at precisely six o’clock one evening, it shatters the silence of the farmhouse where Fran has lived alone since her mother abandoned her at age fourteen. She recognizes the voice on the line immediately.
Though it has been four years since she left, Fran’s mother offers no apologies or explanations. She is calling to tell Fran the family stories. And though Fran longs to hang up on her, she can’t help but be drawn in by the strange and wonderful tales her mother has to tell.
So begins an uneasy relationship between the pair, one that takes place only during the phone calls that continue to come every night at six sharp. Over the course of several weeks, the amazing history of their large and colorful family unfolds: tales of saints and murderers; world-renowned pickpockets and fabulously talented bakers; bitter rivalries and unconditional loves; adventures across continents; tragedy and transcendence.
What Fran urgently seeks is an explanation for her mother’s abandonment, but all she gets are tall tales of a family exodus from a desolate Canadian farm to a new home in the Florida swamplands. In the sprawling house named Brazil, there is more than enough room for every larger-than-life member of this family – and all the noise, heat, and passion they generate.
FAQ
What is “A House Named Brazil” about?
Who is the author of “A House Named Brazil”?
When was “A House Named Brazil” published?
What is the ISBN for “A House Named Brazil”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
