In short: Six times Chico

In short , a biography meticulously written by Tom Cardoso, celebrates the 80th birthday of a musical, political and literary icon: Chico Buarque, one of the greatest names in Brazilian culture.

Owner of the most acclaimed female lyrical self in Brazil, an unwavering opponent of the civil-military dictatorship and three-time winner of the Jabuti Prize, Chico Buarque has become a national symbol, who says: it is not possible to create culture without thinking about politics.

Born amid the cultural effervescence of Rio de Janeiro, the composer and singer emerged as a polymath, whose work transcended the confines of music to also embrace theater, literature, and political activism. The son of the illustrious historian Sérgio Buarque de Holanda and the intellectual Maria Amélia Buarque de Holanda, Chico found his foundation in words, giving life to compositions, books, and manifestations that echo the yearnings and contradictions of the Brazilian soul.

Tom Cardoso's skillfully woven narrative takes us on a journey through the intricacies of Chico's experiences, from his clashes with censorship during the dark years of the military dictatorship to the most intimate aspects of his creative processes. We explore six themes deeply rooted in the singer-songwriter's public and private life: politics, literature, fame, controversy, censorship (as well as self-censorship), and soccer. The author brings together testimonies, interviews, and extensive bibliographical research to present the reader with a multifaceted portrait of one of the greatest living artists in Brazilian popular culture.

On the blurb of this book, Maria Ribeiro describes Tom Cardoso's narrative work as follows: "I love Tom's biographies. Because of him, I fell in love with Tarso de Castro, became a retroactive Sócrates fan, and placed Nara's cover next to my father's photo. Not to mention Caetano, whom I'm lucky enough to have loved while he was alive. Tom's Brazilians are a kind of ideal banner—and a very clever way to learn about our history."