Description
Description
In 1950s Brazil, somewhere by the beach, not far from Rio, Hélcio, a young and promising soccer player, and his friend Noël, spot someone fishing with dynamite. They decide to take a boat and steal some of the dead fish to make some money. The boat trip turns into a perilous journey as the two thieves embark on an adventure that will challenge their friendship. Inspired by the life of Marcello Quintanilha's father, Hélcio Quintanilha, this graphic novel is both a suspenseful thriller and a breathtaking story about friendship.
In The Lights of Niterói, internationally acclaimed graphic novelist Marcello Quintanilha returns to the city where he was born and raised. He dives into the waters of Guanabara Bay and crafts a plot based on real events that took place in the 1950s. It's an adventure full of suspense, involving fishermen, soccer, the Brazilian feminist and striptease artist Luz del Fuego, and the first naturist camp in Brazil. Translated by the author with Bruna Dantas Lobato.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
Every aspect of Marcello Quintanilha's storytelling, from his naturalistic writing to his incredible visual work, is a masterclass in telling such character-driven stories in the comics medium.-- "Monkeys Fighting Robots"
The son of a former professional soccer player, the author knows this universe intimately and creates an impressive social fresco... especially worth it for the human and maritime adventure experienced by its protagonists, Hélcio and Noel, in a tragicomic style that reveals an enormous and poignant friendship. With Quintanilha, Brazilian comics have their Homer!-- "Telerama"
The art of Marcello Quintanilha lies in this combination of the exciting story and the fast-paced narrative, the thriller and the picaresque.-- "Le Monde"
An extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for community and college/university library mystery/adventure themed Graphic Novel collections.-- "Midwest Book Review"
This is adventure storytelling with disarming emotional heft--a taut study of wounded pride, precarious camaraderie, and words that can't be taken back.-- "Publishers Weekly"
A thrilling and poignant story waiting to be discovered.-- "Broken Frontier"
In centering the action on one dramatic venture, this creates a powerful and intense exploration of ambition, friendship, and masculinity, sure to resonate with anyone seeking their place in the world.-- "Booklist"
It's genuinely really touching.-- "The Awesome Comics Podcast"
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
Fantagraphics Books
Pub date:
2026-03-31
Length:
232 pages
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