Forbidden Brazil

A Year Living in Organized Crime

By: Michelle de Abreu

Narrated by: Michelle de Abreu

Why would a young woman abandon comforts in the United States and relocate to one of Brazil’s most dangerous favelas, notorious for its abject poverty and local gang factions?

It is amid the darkest corners of violent streets where she finds the ultimate feeling of warmth, community, and passionate love.

In Forbidden Brazil, we follow Michelle’s journey as she develops a profound understanding of humanity, while living in the sociopolitical impact of cyclical poverty. Without any previous knowledge about her estranged father’s native country, we watch her navigate and understand a foreign world where choice is driven by access to opportunity.

In this vivid and emotionally evocative collection of short stories, poems, and vignettes, de Abreu recounts her experiences, and details how Brazil’s history of racial discrimination has led to untenable economic disparity.

Forbidden Brazil explores treading fearlessly outside of defined comfort zones and challenges its listeners to question deeply held stereotypes that are nearly always left untested.

©2023 Michelle de Abreu (P)2023 Michelle de Abreu

Wow

I’m sad the book is over. There was so much in this, history, drama, romance, food, travel…it will definitely make you think.

A heartfelt story beautifully narrated

I just finished listening to this book, and it was so beautiful! The way the author used language to paint pictures and introduce characters made me feel like I was totally immersed in her experiences the entire time, especially since she narrated it herself. “Saudade” made me tear up - it was so sincere and raw and heartfelt and the perfect way to wrap up the story of her experience in Brazil. The way she wove historical and political information into her personal anecdotes was so captivating, and I felt like I was learning about the country through her eyes, which was such a special experience.