Three stories ...
. . . the story of the Festa du Espirito Santo, a seven century old religious folk tradition brought to Cape Cod by Azoreans, where three societies in the Falmouth area practice it to this day, much as it is done in many other towns in southern New England (see list at end).
. . . the story of a people who settled the first New World — the Azores — when it was discovered by the Portuguese in the fifteenth century, uninhabited at the time by man or any other land animal. Four centuries later, suffering feudal tyranny by oppressive monarchy on overcrowded islands, the islanders joined crews of American whalers and began immigrating, spreading the word about opportunites for a better life in America.
. . . the story of the founding of Falmouth by colonists who sought religious freedom after failing to find it in Barnstable, or Hingham before that, or Plymouth before that, and in England before that — as had some of the early settlers of the Azores. They were supposed to settle on Martha's Vineyard but landed in an area then called Succanesset and decided to stay. They practiced what they preached and, to an extent unprecedented in many parts of the colonies, were tolerant of those who practiced other religions.
The book is an easy read, with most of the historical details in the appendices. For those not able to attend the feast but desiring a taste of the unique Portuguese foods served there, the appendices include some authentic recipes. Sopas was reviewed by the Portuguese American Journal and is available here. It retails for $14.95 and is available now at the following independent booksellers:
• Eight Cousins Books, Falmouth, MA, (508) 548-5548
• Market Street Bookstore, Mashpee, MA, (508) 539-6985
• Isaiah Thomas Books, Cotuit, MA (508) 428-2752
• Titcomb's Bookshop, East Sandwich, MA (508) 888-2331
• Partner's Village Store, Westport, MA (508) 636-2572
These independent booksellers provide an island of sanity for readers, each with their own friendly and knowledgeable staff, in a unique atmosphere. Each is well worth the trip and deserving of your support.
"Sopas" is also available online at amazon.com
2013 Festas begin on May 19 (Pentecost Sunday) and are spread out over the summer in different towns including Falmouth (2), Somerville, Lowell, Peabody, Hudson (2), Santuit, Bridgewter, Taunton, Westport, Oak Bluffs, and Fall River, all in Massachusetts; in East Providence (4), Newport, and Warwick in Rhode Island; and in Stonington, Connecticut.
