City of God (novel)
Encyclopedia
City of God is a 1997 semi-autobiographical novel
by Paulo Lins
, about three young men and their lives in Cidade de Deus, a favela
in Western Rio de Janeiro
where Lins grew up.
It was made into a feature film of the same name in 2002, which went on to be nominated for four Oscars. An English translation of the book was published in 2006.
Autobiographical novel
An autobiographical novel is a form of novel using autofiction techniques, or the merging of autobiographical and fiction elements. The literary technique is distinguished from an autobiography or memoir by the stipulation of being fiction...
by Paulo Lins
Paulo Lins
Paulo Lins is a Brazilian author.Lins grew up in Rio de Janeiro and at the age of seven moved to the Cidade de Deus favela. He escaped the cycle of violence to become a successful writer....
, about three young men and their lives in Cidade de Deus, a favela
Favela
A favela is the generally used term for a shanty town in Brazil. In the late 18th century, the first settlements were called bairros africanos . This was the place where former slaves with no land ownership and no options for work lived. Over the years, many freed black slaves moved in...
in Western Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
where Lins grew up.
It was made into a feature film of the same name in 2002, which went on to be nominated for four Oscars. An English translation of the book was published in 2006.