Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon
Brazil

Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon

by Jorge Leal Amado de Faria

Love & Passion Classics Fiction 1958

Summary

Set in the coastal Brazilian town of Ilhéus in the 1920s, Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon follows Gabriela, a beautiful and carefree young woman who arrives in town during a period of economic transformation driven by the cocoa trade. She becomes a cook in the bar of Nacib, a Syrian immigrant who falls in love with her and eventually marries her. However, Gabriela’s independent spirit and sensual nature clash with the conservative social expectations of marriage and respectability. Against the backdrop of political rivalries, changing gender roles, and the decline of traditional power structures, Jorge Amado portrays a society caught between old customs and modern aspirations. Blending romance, humor, and social satire, the novel explores desire, freedom, and the struggle of women to live beyond the constraints imposed by patriarchal traditions. Through its vivid characters and colorful setting, the book celebrates Brazilian culture and the transformative power of social change.

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Country
Brazil
South America
About the author
Jorge Leal Amado de Faria
Jorge Leal Amado de Faria

Jorge Amado (1912–2001) was a Brazilian novelist and one of the most celebrated writers of Brazilian literature. Born in the state of Bahia, he drew inspiration from the region’s Afro-Brazilian culture, coastal landscapes, and vibrant social life. His novels often explore poverty, social inequality, racial identity, political struggle, and the resilience of working-class communities, combining social realism with humor, sensuality, and elements of folklore. His best-known works include Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon (1958), a lively portrait of life in a small Bahian town, and Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands (1966), a comic exploration of love, desire, and marriage. His writing frequently celebrates the cultural diversity of Brazil, particularly the traditions and religious influences of Bahia. Translated into dozens of languages, Amado became an internationally recognized literary figure whose work captures the spirit, contradictions, and richness of Brazilian society.

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Details
Published
1958
Author
Jorge Leal Amado de Faria