Description
Book SynopsisThis volume is a narrative history of the Portuguese royal family's extraordinary flight to Brazil at the height of the Napoleonic Wars
Trade Review'A brilliant account of a bizarre yet momentous event Wilcken tells this unfamiliar yet extraordinary story with elan. Empire Adrift is a model of historical writing, erudite yet lively, maintaining narrative vigour while accurately rendering complex events at different times in different continents. Wilcken combines a sense of place with a keen eye for the grotesque. He has a striking cast of characters to work with' Guardian 'Wilcken is a consummate portraitist, and one learns a great deal of the machinations and ambitions of diplomats and of the intrigues of royal relations' Irish Times 'Wilcken's perceptive and skilful narration of the extraordinary culture clash between New and Old Worlds is fascinating, at times hilarious and helps explain why modern Brazil turned out so differently from its South American neighbours' Alex Bellos, author of Futebol 'He writes well, describing events or evoking characters. The narrative is fast-moving and lucid By telling a good story, and placing it in multiple contexts, he makes Empire Adrift a distinguished and enjoyable first book' Times Literary Supplement
