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Liked It “A delightful book telling the story of Gabriela - beautiful and mysterious mulatta that captures the hearts of the South Brasilian town of Ileus. |
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“A delightful book telling the story of Gabriela - beautiful and mysterious mulatta that captures the hearts of the South Brasilian town of Ileus.
Pippilota M wrote this review 6 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Masterfully written in the tradition of magical fiction. ”
“I'm reading this in Spanish, so it's going a bit slowly, but I'm liking it.”
Nanette M wrote this review Saturday, October 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“It took me a while to really get into the story, but never did I feel that I wanted stop reading, I knew (and expected) it would pick up, and when it did I was blown away.
Wandeca wrote this review Friday, July 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This book has two main stories: Nacib and Gabriela's love story, and Mundinho Falcao political aspirations in Ilhéus.
Nacib is suprised that Gabriela loves him, and she is happy that way their affair is going. She cooks for him, helps him in the cafe, takes care of him and loves him. He on the other hand is afraid to lose her, always freightened that one of the Colonel's will take her away. Their relationship changes when Nacib slowly changes Gabriela. He expects her to change the way she has always, and slowly you see her sad and drifting aways.
In Mundinho's case he desperately wants to help the people of this town. He came to Ilhéus to find himself, to grow into the man that his family expected him to be and also to run away from a love affair that would destroy his family. Ilhéus to him, was the place that he can succeed, but he has the old fashion Colonels to deal with, and they have no qualms is dealing they way they've always have: with fists and guns.
What I enjoyed most in this story was the setting. Ilhéus in the book was as magical to me as it was when I was a child watching the show. I fell in with its people: the crusty old Colonel Ramiro Bastos that didn't want his town to change; his playboy son, Tonico; Dona Arminda, and her obsession with spirits; Malvina, a young girl who didn't want to end up married and miserable; and so many others.
(4.5/5)”
“Uma história de amor, da qual se guarda o perfume da escrita, um perfume que o título sugere ser a cravo e canela, mas que de algo mais é: um aroma ao amor tropical, às noites quentes do Verão e da paixão.
Marcelo M wrote this review Monday, December 29 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
E depois a dinâmica Nordestina, o rede social dos povoados, com personagens caricatas e inesquecíveis.
Um livro como o autor, (para ser) amado.”“A fantastic novel with entertaining and genuine characters who reflect the author's compassion with his fellow human beings in all their complexities. Jorge Amado was way ahead of his time when he allows his wonderful female characters to help with the deconstruction of the injustices and absurdities of the patriarchal society in his native Brasil. ”
cora_nz j wrote this review Tuesday, September 2 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Unrestrained, impulsive and wild Gabriela...
Nikki wrote this review Tuesday, July 1 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
An absolutely amazing read!! Memorable characters and beautiful narration. Never to be missed!!!!”
“I agree that Gabriela is so memorable, as are pretty much all the characters in this gorgeous novel. I still have images, and even scents, from the book in my head, after having read it several years ago.”
Vanessa S wrote this review Sunday, January 6 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Never have I enjoyed a book this thoroughly, from cover to cover!!
bookchica wrote this review Tuesday, November 27 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This story is set in the city of Ilheus in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Amado brings the color and history of Bahia alive page after delicious page.
Gabriela, a woman from the Bahian backlands comes to Ilheus in the hope of finding a job as a domestic aid and her life crosses with Nacib an Arab barowner. With characters as diverse as cacao lords, mulatto prostitutes and carioca engineers, with numerous political and communal happenings in the town, the story sweeps you through a year in the 1920's when Ilheus booms from a sleepy town to an international port. ”
“I have hardly ever come across a book so sensuous”
varghese k wrote this review Sunday, November 11 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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