Crónica dos bons malandros

The setting adds so much flavor and authenticity, but I'm curious whether the local culture was a starting point or evolved during writing.

The book balances crime and humor in a way that made me both laugh and feel uneasy. How do others interpret the tone?

The 'good malandros' are neither purely villain nor hero, which made me think about how we justify our actions. Was this a deliberate thematic choice?