About The Book
Claudia is a young Goan village girl. Clever. Charming. Ambitious. With two older sisters, unmarried because their reputation is spoiled by insensible premarital affairs, Claudia is the family’s only hope whose arranged marriage could restore honour and respect within their conservative community.
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 Damiano, the attractive son of her Portuguese master, she never imagined their meetings would grow so intimate.
Amidst advancing Dabolin airport, departing Portuguese families and chaos, Claudia needs to condone the offer made by her Portuguese lover, Damiano, 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, is a touching and uplifting story of a woman’s struggles and triumph of finding hope, which will unravel the answers.
About The Author
Sophia Lorena Benjamin was born and grew up in Tonca Miramar, in the gorgeous state of Goa. After graduating from Dhempe College of Arts and Science. She worked as a program announcer for Goa Doordarshan and enjoyed a successful corporate career at Citibank Goa and Citigroup Dubai.
Sophia likes expressing herself and encouraging others through creative writing. She has been counted on by Goan village folk to write letters for l