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Book Review
Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon
by Jorge Amado
This chatty, warm novel is set in 1920s Ilheus, a major town of the cacao-growing Bahia region of Brazil. Filled with plenty of colorful characters, the story centers on Nacib, owner of a bar/cafe, and Gabriela, the itinerant peasant he hires as cook for both himself and his bar. The story of their passion for each other provides and illustration of and a lens through which to view Ilheus' move from a lawless place of violence and political bosses to a progressive, modern place. Amado does a great job of interweaving the political and the social changes that go on simultaneously. He also has a very good understanding of human attraction and opposition. I also liked the way Amado surprises the reader with a happy ending.
by Jorge Amado
This chatty, warm novel is set in 1920s Ilheus, a major town of the cacao-growing Bahia region of Brazil. Filled with plenty of colorful characters, the story centers on Nacib, owner of a bar/cafe, and Gabriela, the itinerant peasant he hires as cook for both himself and his bar. The story of their passion for each other provides and illustration of and a lens through which to view Ilheus' move from a lawless place of violence and political bosses to a progressive, modern place. Amado does a great job of interweaving the political and the social changes that go on simultaneously. He also has a very good understanding of human attraction and opposition. I also liked the way Amado surprises the reader with a happy ending.