Romulo Gallegos gives us an entriguing read of the struggle between the forces of Civilization and Barbarism through his Venezuelan novel Dona Barbara. Santos Luzardo and Dona Barbara are engaged in a family struggle over a land dispute. There is a romantic attraction between the wild child Marisela who Santos Luzardo finds in the wilderness and takes home to educate. Dona Barbara uses her powers of witchcraft and sex appealto terrorize and control all the men in the town, even the government officials. The book is loaded with steamy sex scenes between Dona Barbara, Bambino Paiba and almost every one else except the horse. Good triumphs over evil in the end of this regional South American Classic.