A Beautifully Written and Unforgettable Memoir

 

I was surprised by how deeply this memoir pulled me in. The author has a gift for capturing place and emotion in a way that feels completely immersive. Her first descriptions of the mountains in central Portugal are striking. The landscape is rugged and beautiful, but also carries a sense of unease that hints at what is coming. She writes with a clarity that made me feel like I was right alongside her as she stepped into this new chapter of her life.

The early sections are fascinating in their own right. The retreat center is full of unexpected challenges, from unfinished buildings to staff tensions to the strain of running a therapeutic program in a place that is still very much under construction. I appreciated the honesty of these moments, especially her willingness to show the uncertainty, exhaustion, and small victories that came with trying to make the center work.

Then the fire hits, and the book becomes something else entirely. The way she recounts the evacuation is gripping and very real. There is no dramatization, just a clear, steady account of fear, instinct, and the responsibility she felt for the people in her care. The aftermath is even more powerful. Her reflections on trauma, community, and the long process of healing are written with so much insight. The connection she draws between her own respiratory illness and the recurring destruction of the Serra da Estrela stayed with me.

Sometimes devastation is what finally shows us the strength we never realized we carried.

This is a memoir that balances beauty and hardship with remarkable honesty. The writing is thoughtful, vivid, and full of heart. I am grateful I read it, and I know I will think about it for a long time.