Plot Summary

Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon

Jorge Amado
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Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1958

Book Brief

Jorge Amado

Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1958
Book Details
Pages

448

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Ilhéus, Brazil • 1920s

Publication Year

1958

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado is set in 1925-1926 Ilhéus, Brazil, detailing the intertwining lives of its residents amid political and social upheaval. Nacib Saad hires the enchanting Gabriela as a cook, sparking a love affair. Concurrently, Mundinho Falcão's modernization efforts and political ambitions clash with those of conservative colonels, leading to significant town transformations. The novel includes instances of infidelity, gun violence, and domestic violence.

Romantic

Contemplative

Nostalgic

Heartwarming

Humorous

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Jorge Amado's Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon is praised for its vivid portrayal of early 20th-century Brazilian culture, rich characterization, and engaging narrative. Critics laud Amado's ability to intertwine romance with social and political commentary. However, some find the pacing slow and the plot somewhat predictable. Overall, it's celebrated for its warmth and cultural significance.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon?

A reader who enjoys lush narratives set in vibrant, historical settings will appreciate Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado. Fans of Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude and Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits will find this book's blend of magic, romance, and social commentary captivating.

Fun Facts

Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon is set in the Brazilian town of Ilhéus during the economic boom of the cacao trade in the 1920s, capturing the cultural and social transformations of the era.

The novel was adapted into a Brazilian telenovela in 1975, which was hugely popular and helped to solidify Jorge Amado's work in Brazilian popular culture.

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The character of Gabriela has been iconic in Brazilian literature and culture, symbolizing the intersection of tradition and modernity and was famously portrayed by Sonia Braga in both the 1975 telenovela and the 1983 film adaptation.

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Book Details
Pages

448

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Ilhéus, Brazil • 1920s

Publication Year

1958

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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