An engaging novel from exotic Brazil about the search for life's purpose.

Lucie Brejšová lived in Sao Paulo for several years. Brazil made a strong impression on her with its exoticism and natural diversity. She was interested in local healing and herbalism, which is widely spread thanks to the rich vegetation. From this, among other things, she drew inspiration for part of her novel. Its main character, Marco, is an architect and conservationist and deals with the rescue and new use of old buildings. The city above the city is the Santa Teresa neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, where he lived until he was ten years old before his parents divorced. He returns here after twenty years, when he decides on his next life. The district of Santa Teresa has changed considerably during that time, becoming an island of old colonial architecture in the middle of high-rise concrete buildings. From the local witness Franciska, he learns what it was like with his parents, how the families he knew from childhood lived, and also about the Czech roots of his great-grandfather Kopesk. And even before his trip to the Czech Republic, he falls in love with the beautiful Julia, who came from Europe to explore Brazil, and will give his life a new direction.