Summary of City of God

City of God is a novel written by Brazilian author Paolo Lins which follows the story of two boys, Rocket and Lil’ Zéin, who grow up on the mean streets of Rio de Janeiro’s notorious favelas. Rocket is captivated by photography, while Lil’ Zé, emboldened by a prophesied messiah of the slums, is pulled towards crime. Over the course of the novel, the two boys navigate their changing lives as gang warfare consumes their city, attempting to find stability and redemption in the chaos. Ultimately, Rocket comes to understand that the only way to save Lil’ Zé from a life of violent crime is to use his skills as a photographer to capture the beauty of the favelas and the hope that still exists in the midst of their dire circumstances.