Thomas Mello

The Last Cigar Thomas Mello

The Last Cigar is about generations of a Portuguese family beginning in San Miquel, Azores, Portugal in the 1800's. The story encompasses the struggles, trials and tribulations of the family through the years with the aim that their future generations can lead to more prosperous and rewarding lives. The theme involves traditions of the family such as whenever there is an important meeting or special event, whoever is present will be offered a cigar to smoke from a box containing twenty cigars. Another tradition involves when a son in the family turns twenty one the father offers him a chance to attempt to prove whether or not he can beat his father in a fight. The book encompasses much action and drama including fighting, accidental killing, self defense and there is even an illegal bare knuckles fight. Other areas comprise the struggles of making a livelihood, fighting for the country of the United States, a famous Portuguese Naval Captain in the family and some revelations from police officers in the family as well as a cousin who acts as a Robinhood to get justice for persons where the court has failed. The book is in the spirit of family, values, traditions, and respect which is carried over to all nationalities.