Rating: 
Summary: Hot, Spicy and Delicious
Review: Jorge Amado takes us back to the mid-1920's in this deliciously enchanting novel, when the cacao kings ruled in the Brazilian backlands, conflicts were solved by gunfire, and a husband was expected to defend his honor by killing an adulterous wife and her lover. There are two parallel and occasionally intertwining plots going on; one is the battle between the old forces that want to maintain the city of Ilhéus as it has been for decades, sleepy and backwards; and the people who want the city to join the 20th century by encouraging international trade and culture. To the old guard, this is anathema; open the city to trade and all kinds of new ideas will rear their ugly heads. The second plot involves the Syrian bartender Nacib Saab; poor Nacib has been deserted by his cook on the eve of catering an important party for the town's upper crust. What to do? Nacib ventures over to the part of town where desperate migrant workers fleeing the drought in Brazil's northern provinces will work for a pittance (it underscores their desperation and devastation that this place is called the "slave market") and finds Gabriela, a young mulatto woman, filthy, dirt-encrusted, but willing to work for next to nothing, and Nacib needs a cook. But in Gabriela, he gets more than he ever bargained for. Once she's washed free of the dirt and dust she is absolutely gorgeous; her cooking wakes visions of paradise, and soon she has most of the men in town, married and single, panting after her. No way is Nacib, going to share this treasure he picked up off the dump heap; he wants her all to himself. But the only way he can have her all to himself is by marriage. Which is fine with him; but Gabriela is like an exquisite wild flower; once you pick it and put it in a vase, it withers and dies. Gabriela loves being Nacib's cook and mistress; she hates being Mrs. Saab, having to mind so many P's and Q's. She doesn't want to be a great lady; she just wants to be Gabriela.Not only does the book have two great plots, it also has some terrific characters: the old reactionary Ramiro Bastos and his wastrel playboy son Tonico; Malvina Tavares, .who refuses to accept her mandated destiny of cloistered young woman and later resigned wife, and makes a destiny of her own; Mundinho Falçao, who arrives in Ilhéus bring the winds of change which are about to sweep out the fusty old order; Dr. Mauricio Caires, the reactionary lawyer fulminating hellfire and damnation; Colonel Amâncio Leal, another old reactionary who realizes it's time for a change; and a host of others. But by far the most fascinating character is Gabriela herself, innocent, enchanting, full of the sheer joy of life. It's a wonderful read, and the excellent translation by James L. Taylor and William Grossman from the original Portuguese into English does full credit to this marvelous book.
Rating:
Summary: Boosterism in Brazil
Review: North American writers have poured forth a plentitude of books on the 'Twenties. From that era of tulmutuous fortune-making, Prohibition and "boosterism", many tales and no end of scathing criticism have been derived. "Boosterism" was the phrase applied by businessmen touting their communities as forward looking, progressive, expanding. Government at all levels, in their eyes, existed solely for the purpose of providing what is now called "infrastructure" to assist in "development". Underlying this promotional attitude were the hidden lives of the people. Jorge Amado demonstrates that the phenomenon wasn't restricted to the North. In this bizarre novel of a Brazilian community, he portrays the clash of tradition and "progress" in a different environment.
Gabriela, a migrant worker, arrives in Ilheus. A town braced by the sea and extensive cacao plantations, it was founded in violence and is sustained by fear. The skirmishes that created the plantations left an oligarchy of "colonels" dominating the society and politics of the region. Honour is the rule, backed by a tradition extending back to Iberian aristocrats. Allegiances are fixed and endure long. Challenges to the Establishment are met with swift, violent response. Gabriela, originally a distant viewer of these clashes, is ultimately and intimately drawn into them. Amado's picture of this rigid social milieu and how it effects the innocent, demonstrates the power of money and character against tradition. The conclusion is anything but foregone, as he depicts the plots, subterfuge and ferment resulting from the jousting contenders.
The challenger is Mundinho Falcaho, young, ambitious and full of fight. He deplores the favouritism government shows to other communities. He wants "progress" and improvements for Ilheus. The pivotal element couldn't be more mundane - a sandbar in the harbour blocks the entry of ocean-going ships. Around this issue, Amado builds a story of intrigue, power manipulation and, amazingly, fierce and tender romance. In this stark tale, the characters are flexible and learn to adapt. The "Turk", a Syrian-born bar owner, learns how to evade the code imposed on betrayed husbands. The humour, and this story is lightly told, is muted - as is the tragedy. There's little to laugh at, here, but no tears should flow.
Amado, once a Nobel nominee, would appear dated today. That shouldn't detract from the power of his prose. His portrayal of women would bring down scorn from a segment of today's society, but he is depicting a distant time and place. Such criticisms should be curtailed unless you've lived that life. He was a keen observer of humanity, exposing strengths and frailties with equal skill. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
Rating: 
Summary: It was raw and realistic to that era and time in Bahia.
Review: Romantic.
Rating:
Summary: Ah, L'amour
Review: So you won't be disappointed!
What about discovering the rich world of Latin America, a love story, a political history, and a psychological mayhem? all of it whilst you are enjoying a beautiful book, an amazing novel and a really great style of writing. Gabriella may be the best of the best you may read as love story, and as "Latin American literature". You will plunge -so easily- in this widely open world of colors, sounds and creatures. The pulse is already there, in all the characters, and everybody is so deeply living: politic is rotten, love is hard, sex is wanted and our human complications are so silly. Reading this book is a unique experience; it will always make you feel better... even after the 3rd time!!
Rating:
Summary: The very best of Jorge Amado
Review: This book delves into the culture and history of Bahia, one of the most celebrated parts of Brazil. It is one of Amado's best known works, if not the best one. The story depicts Gabriela, a sensous free spirited woman who migrates from famine to the city of Ilheus, where her story meshes with the city's story to form a great mixture. Gabriela works as a cook, and torments the hearts of men with her sensous and pure nature, while she delicately touches the revolving life of the city. The book also depicts with great detail the culture of the region, with special focus on the food. If you have ever been to Bahia, you will know how unique the tastes there are. This book leaves such a taste in the mouth. If you are planning to go on tourism to the Brazilian Northeast, this book should help raise the anticipation level.
Rating:
Summary: The very best of Jorge Amado
Review: This book delves into the culture and history of Bahia, one of the most celebrated parts of Brazil. It is one of Amado's best known works, if not the best one. The story depicts Gabriela, a sensous free spirited woman who migrates from famine to the city of Ilheus, where her story meshes with the city's story to form a great mixture. Gabriela works as a cook, and torments the hearts of men with her sensous and pure nature, while she delicately touches the revolving life of the city. The book also depicts with great detail the culture of the region, with special focus on the food. If you have ever been to Bahia, you will know how unique the tastes there are. This book leaves such a taste in the mouth. If you are planning to go on tourism to the Brazilian Northeast, this book should help raise the anticipation level.
Rating:
Summary: Light and Enjoyable
Review: This book was required reading for my English class (which I find odd considering the book is Brazillian). I enjoyed it immensely. I understand what the previous reviewer meant about the difficulties with translation. I don't speak or read Portugese, but it was obvious to me that there were certain passages that probably worked better in their original form. Still, even translated, it's a great story, and fun to read.
Rating:
Summary: A 'must read' if you going to Brazil!
Review: This is a fabulous book. Its full of history and love and politics and money and chocolote and greed and violence and the mystical ways in Bahia Brizil. If you going to visit or simply interested in the chocolate days in Brazil this is for you! Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: You will feel as if you have been to Brazil
Review: This is my favorite novel by my favorite South American writer. The scents, sounds and scenery of Brazil seem to spring from the pages of this book. If it were nothing more that a travel guide, it would be worth four or five stars. I promise that after you read this, you will be consummed with the desire to visit Brazil and sample its cooking. However, this story is more. The best way I can describe it is to say that it is Capra-esque. A beautiful young woman with a peasant background becomes the object of adoration of a businessman. He tries to civilize her and in the process almost destroys that which makes herso sublime. If this was written by Thomas Hardy and the titole character was named Tess, this book would end tragically. However, this is the world of Amado. I do not want to give away too much of the plot, but I will say that Amado loves his characters and has a great faith in the ability of people to change and grow.
Rating:
Summary: Must read if your go to Brazil!
Review: This was a awesome story wrapped around a lot of interesting and useful history of Bahia and Brazilian culture in general. Great writing by the author and you're gonna fall in love the whole image the story paints in a magical way. Keep in mind the author is extremely liberal politically and so is Brazil with Lula as the commander and chief of the country now days. Great book and I'd recommended it for anyone who plans on going to travel in Brazil for sure! Enjoy.
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