Scent of Love

The fourth of Van Steen's (Early Mourning) works to be published in English, this collection richly demonstrates the variety of distinct voices and narrative styles that have distinguished the author as a literary name in Brazil. In the titular novella, Alice Ribas, a reporter assigned to write an obituary about a woman named Camila von Braun Albuquerque de Andrada, finds herself falling ""head over heels for the character."" ""My recollections have never been very clear and they pop up when least expected,"" Alice announces at the onset, and the story unfolds in a similar manner. Despite a diverse, auxiliary cast of relatives and gossip mongers, an inspiring portrait of Camila develops. Viewed as a martyr by some and a tramp by others, Camila speaks for herself via her diary. ""I think I've fulfilled my role as a mother,"" she writes. ""I've tried to be a good citizen by alleviating the suffering of others. In my own way, I've spent my life usefully."" She proves to be a woman of grace who leaves her troubled, bickering family at an uneasy peace. In ""Less than the Dream,"" Marcela and her friend Irene chat amiably until Irene drops a bombshell about Marcela's late husband. Written in the form of various dramaturgical scenarios, ""Queen of the Abyss"" tells how two sisters deal with a visit from their 90-year-old father, who has shunned them for most of their lives. Originally published in Brazil in 1996, this collection won several literary awards in South America. (Dec.)