"An exquisite, multi-layered novel . David Brookshaw has captured the African and European nuances in a translation hat is poetic, agile, and so beautifully executed that it reads like an original text." --Miranda France, TLS " Woman of the Ashes is a beautiful and grotesque force interweaving history with myth . Couto's prose carries the weight of a creation story in nearly every passage." --Daniel Bokemper, World Literature Today "Based on historical events (with layers of magical realism, Achebe-style allegory, and folklore ladled on top), Couto's ninth novel . tells the story of Imani, a 15-year-old girl who finds herself playing a pivotal role in a 19th-century culture clash between an African emperor and Portuguese colonialists. Couto treats his characters to a world of blazing specificity, and yet Imani is also a vessel for our more contemporary battles." --Sloan Crosley, Vanity Fair "Couto's mastery lies in his ability to turn his exploration of this slice of history into a commentary on all of human civilization.

Richly translated by Brookshaw in words that suggest more than they say, Couto's tale evokes a sense of timelessness . An intriguing combination of folklore, history, and magic realism, and the first in a trilogy, this is a novel to be read and reread, savored and analyzed." --Shoba Viswanathan, Booklist (starred review) "Excellent . Couto feathers history with folklore . a fascinating, intricate story." -- Publishers Weekly "A rich historical tale thick with allegory and imagery that recalls Marquez and Achebe." -- Kirkus Reviews " Woman of the Ashes weaves a stunning tale of a war-torn period." -- Paste Magazine.