Helena divided the book into three parts: "Opening", "Development" and "Resolution". The first and last sections, more intimate in nature, were written in the first person. The two siblings were always great friends. When he underwent his first surgery, Tom asked Helena to stay at his house with his children. Soon after the operation, Tom returned home and during the three weeks that followed -- his final days -- Helena and Tom had lengthy and profound conversations.

The second section - "Development" - is told in the third person and recounts in a more traditional way Tom's professional life.

The book also shows the mystical side of the composer, little-known until now.

The book's publication was marked by a cocktail on November 28, 1996, at the restaurant Plataforma in Rio, where Tom used to have lunch almost every day.

The book is accompanied by a CD produced from cassette tapes provided by Chico Buarque, containing tunes that Tom had sent to Chico for him to write lyrics.

Helena tells us that Chico probably will write lyrics for the unpublished choro, "Bate-Boca", one of the tunes included on the CD, which features Tom on piano.

In a telephone conversation, Chico told us that it's unlikely that he writes the lyrics for "Bate-Boca". The reminds of his music partner are still too present in his thoughts.