The Deep Blue Sea – Fiona Bullen

Description

The Deep Blue Sea by Fiona Bullen is a beautifully written historical romance set in Brazil during the 1950s and 60s. This evocative novel tells the poignant story of John Campos de Serra and Eleanor Fawcett, first cousins whose bond transcends family ties. Growing up together in Eleanor’s affluent Rio de Janeiro home, their connection is unbreakable — as close as twins, despite the growing disapproval of Eleanor’s father. Against a backdrop of tropical landscapes and the shifting social attitudes of the time, the two must navigate their forbidden love and the forces determined to keep them apart.

Rich in period detail and layered with emotional depth, The Deep Blue Sea explores themes of loyalty, desire, and defiance. Fiona Bullen captures the tension between personal freedom and societal expectation, set within a Brazil of political change and cultural elegance. The novel’s atmospheric settings — from opulent Rio mansions to secluded beaches — create a romantic and dramatic canvas for a love story that feels both timeless and heartbreaking.