Ramalho Almeida

Dancing with Sophia Ramalho Almeida

Have you ever met someone so intriguing that you have to be near them? You can't put your finger on it, but something mysterious about them just draws you in. Dancing with Sophia by Ramalho Almeida is about love and the alluring attraction that Baingana quickly feels for Sophia, even though he doesn't know her. Little did Baingana know that the old man, Abner, would not only help in bringing him closer to accomplishing his ultimate goal with Sophia, but would also prepare and heal him in such a way that once he dances with Sophia, it will all be worth it. The lovely poems in this book speak the beautiful language of human nature. This book is a great depiction of how, if we begin to view life through the eyes of healing, love and forgiveness, we can see opportunities, hope and possibilities. Abner knew that Baingana was not ready to dance with Sophia so when he gave Baingana the letter, Abner knew that the words on the page were the beginning for Baingana to create a mental and physical paradigm of responsibility and accountability. Little did Baingana know that he possessed more innate abilities to transform his life than he had in the past, and that Sophia was not as important as his own self-worth. I also enjoyed learning the meanings of the beautiful names, and the wonderful poems that were sprinkled throughout the book that added a special touch. By Vernita Naylor (reviewed for Reader's Favorite)