Portuguese Pastoral

Fiona is penning a novel - or, at least, trying to - while she corresponds and converses at length on social media with her former UAE work colleagues Claire and Sharon, both of whom are pandemically locked-down in the UK.

Fiona's choice of Portugal over Britain for her Forever Home is a surprise to her two friends, who are divided over the wisdom of living in post-Brexit Europe. Originally a city dweller, Fiona stands to lose face, challenged not just by Covid, but by rural life, inclement weather, and frozen fingers.

With insights contributed by her knowledgeable local friend Joan, Fiona notes the complexities of the Portuguese character, as well as the foibles of Portugal's foreign residents and visitors. Over the course of the year, with far too much time on their hands, all four women - Fiona and Joan, Claire and Sharon - exchange past and present anecdotes about life and human nature, reaching conclusions that are sometimes objectionable, but often profound.

Portuguese Pastoral is a gripping tale of assimilation, immigration, greener grass, unsolicited opinions, frenemies, influencers, and even - to a certain extent - sheep and chickens.