What Genre Is 'Durante A Queda Aprendi A Voar'?

I recently finished 'Durante a Queda Aprendi a Voar' and it's a captivating blend of romance and psychological drama. The story follows a protagonist navigating trauma and self-discovery through a turbulent relationship, weaving in deep emotional introspection with intense interpersonal conflicts. The romance isn't just fluffy—it's raw and messy, with moments that hit like a gut punch. The psychological elements explore how pain shapes identity, making it feel more profound than your typical love story. Fans of 'Normal People' or 'The Midnight Library' would appreciate its layered character work and existential undertones.

'Durante a Queda Aprendi a Voar' defies simple genre labels, but if I had to pin it down, I'd call it literary fiction with strong romantic and coming-of-age elements. The prose is poetic yet accessible, focusing on the protagonist's internal journey as much as the external plot.

What stands out is how it merges genres seamlessly. The romance serves as a catalyst for deeper exploration of mental health and resilience, while flashbacks to childhood trauma add a subtle thriller-like tension. The author plays with time non-linearly, echoing works like 'The Vanishing Half' but with a distinctly Brazilian cultural lens.

It's also quietly revolutionary in how it portrays healing—not as a straight path, but as a series of small, messy victories. The protagonist's career as a dancer becomes a metaphor for this, blending physical movement with emotional catharsis in ways that reminded me of 'Dance First. Think Later.'

This book is genre-fluid in the best way—part love story, part survival manual for the soul. The romance arcs are intense but never melodramatic, grounded in flawed characters who communicate through silences as much as words.

Beyond the central relationship, it incorporates magical realism during pivotal moments (think faint whispers of 'The Alchemist'), where emotions manifest almost supernaturally—a heartbeat echoing across cities, shadows that move independently during arguments. These touches elevate it from standard contemporary fiction.

The second half shifts toward self-help territory without being preachy, offering tangible philosophies about embracing failure. The title itself—'During the Fall I Learned to Fly'—captures its core theme: transformative growth through adversity. If you liked 'The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue' but wished for less fantasy and more psychological depth, this delivers.