Reviews

Gabriela, Cravo e Canela by Jorge Amado

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bhnmt61's review against another edition

4.0

Years ago, at a book club meeting, a guy whose taste I admired said that this was his all-time favorite book. I didn't stay in that group very long, but the name of the book stuck in my head and at some point I picked up a copy. Prompted by a book challenge to read a book in translation, I finally read it. It's good, very good, but it's not what I was expecting. The Gabriela of the title is certainly one of the main characters, but the book is not about her. It's about a small town in the backwoods of Brazil that is trying to become an important town. It's about the passing of the venerated Old Ways to new, more progressive ways of thinking. It's surprisingly, spookily relevant to our own situation in the US right now. Really worth reading, but it's not a love story, or at least, it's not a typical one. It's about change, transition, the painful process of moving from cherished old ways to more enlightened new ways.

serrasa's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

rita_p_sousa's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

anyajulchen's review against another edition

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5.0

Es uno de los mejores libros que he leído en la vida. La manera que tiene de contar todo como si fuera un chisme lo hace tan delicioso de leer.

franka17's review against another edition

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4.0

In "Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon," the reader is swept into the happenings of a small Brazilian town in what one can assume is the mid-1900s. Throughout the events of the town over the course of roughly one year, author Jorge Amado is able to tackle a number of complicated topics and themes such as small town politics, honor, machismo, gender issues, violence, power and progress. What is truly remarkable, though, is that Amado is able to discuss such a wide variety of issues all while painting vivid images of the small, but "progressing" town of Ilhéus and its diverse range of inhabitants in a way that is accessible to the common reader, while still maintaining Amado's reputation as a talented writer.

As the book progresses, one will find themselves falling in love with Amado's rich cast of characters as they experience the quintessential parts of small town life including local politics, gossip, small business, and love. This novel is wonderfully diverse and makes the reader feel as if they have been brought in as a citizen of the town and are experiencing all of the gossip and goings-on in the local bar. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who simply wants a good book to read, or someone who is looking for a novel that makes them think about a number of pressing issues.