A bitter taste of candy

Vera Gertel was one of the greatest actresses of her generation, starring in the first production of the famous play "They Don't Wear Black Tie," by Gianfrancesco Guarnieri. Her life has always been surrounded by curious and interesting stories, from the moment she chose her real name: Anéli (a tribute her mother made to the "deceased" National Liberation Alliance (ANL)—a front that opposed the Vargas dictatorship). Vera was a member of the Teatro de Arena—a landmark in Brazilian drama—and recounts details of a lifetime of contributions to Brazilian culture. Beyond her testimony about her dark years and political struggle, Vera Gertel delivers a moving and moving account of the losses and joys of a life decidedly far from ordinary. – Luis Fernando Veríssimo [...] her protagonist is a woman who never stopped moving forward—even now, as she looks back to tell the story. – Rui Castro