Metamorphoses of a life, paradoxes of dreams

Ana Dores Gonilho, born on September 17, 1972, in Setúbal. Holds a degree in Law. Passionate about writing since childhood, she found in literature a space for reflection. From that passion emerged her first book, Metamorphoses of a Life, Paradoxes of Dreams, a work that intertwines fiction and reality to give voice to Mafalda, a woman who endured fifteen years of domestic violence. The book aims to raise awareness and alert women to the signs they should be attentive to, encouraging reflection on the emotional, social, and psychological mechanisms associated with abusive relationships. Through the character Mafalda, the author seeks to reveal how silence, shame, and emotional manipulation can imprison victims for years. This is a book that matters. It will change you once you read it. Mafalda is a voice that deserves to be heard. I hope this story will inspire many women and help them find the courage to free themselves from their “prison,” once and for all. Reader reviews: “A book everyone should read.” “…very well written. Although the theme is difficult to address, the author managed to make it a light and engaging read. While reading it, you feel Mafalda’s experiences as if you were living them yourself. I loved it and highly recommend it.” “When I started reading, I couldn’t stop until I finished. Written in a simple yet intelligent way.” “…This book is more than courage; it is love for all those who couldn’t escape. Mafalda proves that it is possible to leave and that there is life after pain. This book is a strong embrace for those who need it. A cry for those who still cannot speak. May it reach many women…” “It takes courage to write about wounds that society often prefers to hide. An engaging and sincere writing that invites us to immerse ourselves in a difficult story. The reality faced by the character stays with the reader long after the final page. With sensitivity, and without ever resorting to exaggeration or stereotypes — instead offering an honest, empathetic, and conscious perspective on the complexity of the subject. A narrative that unsettles — as it should — but also comforts and gives voice to so many silenced women. I would call it a brave and necessary debut. Congratulations, Ana!” “Intense, disturbing, and very well written. Now I look forward to the next one.” “…I also want to congratulate my dear friend Ana Dores Gonilho for the book she wrote with such courage and sensitivity. With accessible and engaging prose, she takes us into Mafalda’s story — a main character who makes us reflect on so many hidden realities. I read it in one sitting, but it will stay with me for a long time. Thank you, Ana, for your voice and for the contribution you make to so many women.”