READERS GUIDE

• Bianca jets off to Brazil to film a behind-the-scenes documentary about the country’s first all-female samba school. In what ways does her experience with the school—and her reunion with her aunt—allow her to successfully capture the truth about these women’s lives and connect more deeply with her mother? To what extent are these goals one and the same?  

• The Girl from Ipanema opens with a comedic scene between Bianca and her awful manager. In what ways did you relate to this interaction? How do the moments of levity highlight the story’s more poignant themes? 

• At the beginning of the novel, Bianca discovers a letter from her mother to Bianca’s aunt that says, “I will never forgive you for what you did.” How did this prime your reading of Bianca’s aunt, Sonia? How did your perception of Sonia change over the course of the novel?  

• Bianca believes that she and her father have an unspoken agreement to pretend that everything is okay. To what extent do you believe this dynamic accentuates their grief? In what ways have they begun to process their grief by the end of the novel? 

• Bianca tells a “little” white lie to land the opportunity of her dreams. How much of Bianca’s persistence to make it big in the film industry hinges on a self-imposed expectation to make her late mother happy?  

• Bianca’s mother’s reasoning for never returning to Brazil isn’t disclosed in the story. Why do you think Roseli chose to stay away? 

• The book’s title, The Girl from Ipanema, is also a famous song that Bianca’s mother was not a fan of due to its focus on the male gaze. Discuss how Bianca subverts the song’s narrative. How does this aid in her healing journey?  

• Early on, Bianca describes Miles as her nemesis. To what extent do you think that description was fair? Have you ever had to work with someone who engaged in seemingly underhanded behavior toward you? Are you satisfied with Miles’s explanation for his actions? 

• As Bianca explores Brazil and opens herself up to family and new experiences, Miles is right by her side, always her biggest champion. What was your favorite moment between Miles and Bianca? In what ways does Miles foster Bianca’s self-discovery?  

• In the text, Miles and Bianca discuss an article by Edwin Martinez titled “Navigating the River: The Hidden Colonialism of Documentary.” Martinez posits that the documentary form is rooted in a type of colonialism where “Western filmmakers—almost exclusively white men—traveled to other countries and cultures to extract resources (footage), which they would exploit (edit) for the benefit of their home culture (theaters, film festivals, PBS, etc.).” To what extent do you think Bianca takes these concerns seriously?