Coconut: How the Shy Fruit Shaped Our World (H.B)

The news of the intensified resistance by the Indian Government to liberate Goa from Portuguese rule has caused sudden distress, turmoil and conflict in Claudia’s life. When she had her first encounter with Damiáno, the attractive son of her Portuguese master, she never imagined their meetings would grow so intimate. Amidst advancing armed forces, blasting bridges, a bombarded Dabolim airport, departing Portuguese families and chaos, Claudia needs to consider the offer made by her Portuguese lover, Damiáno, to escape to Portugal as a servant girl where their covert affair can continue. Much relies on Claudia’s choice: the call is urgent and decisive. Will Claudia abandon her family’s honour and choose forbidden love? Will she proceed with an arranged marriage to Ferrao, the rich sailor from her local community and end the social stigma her family has endured? Claudia, set in a Portuguese colonised Goa, a touching and uplifting story of a woman’s struggles and triumph of finding hope, will unravel the answers.