I think that should be the title of this book (and all of the other Amado books I have read). While the story becomes interesting after a while, I get bored reading about how beautiful the women of Bahia are (although, it's true they are!). The beginning of the book is full of descriptions of old men and young beautiful women, which as a women is not only boring in such quantities, but also unappealing. It may be a little difficult for some women to laugh off, the way the author does, the social inequities of women that occurred at that time.

That being said, the story does pick up after Gabriella comes into her own. After the first 1/3 of the book, I couldn't put it down - Gabriella is a great character! She'll make it worth reading Amado's sometimes borish descriptors.

Gabriela, Cloves Cinnamon is simply bountiful. I bought this book in anticipation of a business trip to Brazil, and found that it was a wonderful story rich with political intrigue, well developed characters and a lush setting that served my initial purpose - as a microcosm through which to gain a little insight into the Brazilian psyche. It is a literary masterpiece with a strong prose / narrative style that prevents it being too 'heavy' a read. It total avoids trite characterizations and predictability in the plot. I am going to follow-up this with reading other of Jorge Amado's work, and buy the movie based upon "Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands" for their own literary value, as opposed to simply as examples of Brazilian / Latin American literature / film.

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.

when u get to know teresa batista it's impossible to get her out of ur mind, ur life, as it is impossible stop reading. i started reading this book because my friend recommended it to me, and he had read it becuase also a friend had recommended it... and i recomend it to all of u. now i'm curious about all amado's books

Tereza Batista continues to be one of my favorite books. Not only does it give the reader a taste of Bahia, Brasil but it's main character, Tereza Batista, is a brilliantly developed women to be admired and loved. This is a totaly escapist read with an amazingly intricate and moving plot that you wont want to put down. Jorge Amado was obviously in love with this story and character also, because Tereza at times is described in almost explicit adjectives which, in my opinion, adds to her lovlieness. This books steams with power and emotion.

Jorge Amado is more a journalist than a writer, his writing is not interesting.

Jorge Amado da gracia e intriga a este libro con la particularidad que escribe, cambiando el tiempo, dando bromas explicitas y folkoricas, entrelazando muchas ideas y terminando con un final inesperado.

Este libro da mucho en que pensar mientras este es leido, pero se debe leer con mucha concentración si no se quiere perder el hilo de la historia.

La excelencia de este libro, sirve para aprender un poco más sobre la realidad de Brasil, ya que hace reflejos tanto historicos como actuales y muestra a los jovenes brasileños sus raices.

I had this book recommended to me by several people, but honestly, I found it a bit of a letdown. The story takes its merry time to reach an obvious conclusion. Also, the characters are often hard to keep apart as they intermingle in various ways. As well, Amado keeps an objective viewpoint throughout and sometimes seems to be condoning the actions of the "Colonels" and the inequities of the whole social structure he is describing, which is unusual considering his leftist past.

Not to be underestimated, however, is the sensuous atmosphere which pervades the book, the beautiful descriptions, and the sometimes (though not often enough) biting irony.

This is a must read for Amado fans. The book can be compared to a cowboy story because it is a book about tough men who call themselves colonel. The colonels harvest cacao, the golden fruit. The two most powerful Colonels, Horacio and Zinho struggle for the rich Sequiro Grande forest, with armed gunmen and lawyers. You will root for one of the Colonels and be transported to a land where men are macho and life is cheap. A must read is the continuation, the Golden Harvest. If you like this book or Amado, please email me.

The tale of the early days of a Brasilian town are told by Amado in a most erotic action-like way. Beneath the lust, the filth and the passion, Amado revieles the world of a carring and human writer, and leaves the reader wondering if anarchy might really stand a chance. This book is easy to read and a must for Latin literature fans.

Amado is one of my favorite writers, so it is no surprise that Jubiaba is a wonderful literary piece. This book truly gives a glimpse of Bahian culture and the role of Afro-Brazilian religious traditions in the average Bahiano's daily life. The book's cover and publishing is a bit dated, but like the old saying goes, "don't judge this book by it's cover"!

Amado does an excellent piece of work portraying both life in Brazil and the story of a young man and his involvement with Jubiaba, the voodoo priest. The man's rise and the price he pays are well told, as with all of Amado's work.

In general, I am an admirer of Amado's work, but this is not his best effort. He has once again introduced us to the cast of characters that he grew up with in his native Bahia - the miserably poor of the sertao, the vaqueros, the itinerant peddlars (one of which - a Turk again, no less - is the main character), the narrow-minded clergy, all milling around and not really going much of anywhere. The "Showdown" is a faceoff between bandits, which is a culmination of the events in this little backwater village on the Sao Francisco.

As usual, Amado is very good at providing us with a slice of life and a variety of interesting characters, but the story is a bit too thin in this work. Not up to the level of "Dona Flor" or "Gabriela."

Incidentally, the reference to a Sudbury Horse Classic in the trade reviews for this book are obviously for some other book, apparently an English mystery of the same name. No horses here, except in an incidental way.