A riveting story that oozes with love for literature, samba, and the joy of being alive... Cried like a baby so many times.
There's several strong story-lines here, with the main pull being obviously the unconventional "love story" of Alberto and Paloma, played with absolute Mastery by Massafera and Fagundes. But! There's plenty other highlights, such as the main villain Diogo (ruthless, hilarious and iconic), his tortured lover Gisele (steals the spotlight!!), Mariana and Mario's romance (exceedingly sweet!), and Silvana Nolasco and her clique (camp and meta, and an effective comic relief).
Of course, as with any telenovela... there's weaker characters and stories. I never bought Marcos' arc of the "redeemed Don Juan". The young adult plotlines get a bit tiring at times, while the ones in the working class cast can get slightly too "PSA" and preachy. But on the whole, these weakness are undone by a sincere and intelligent script that displays it's ideology of intellectualism proudly, and by a diverse and charismatic cast of characters.
Overall, an amazing novela worthy of the being in the hall of fame of melodrama. Can't wait to rewatch it from the beginning :)
