A Review of “Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon” by Jorge Amado
Author: Jorge Amado
Main Characters: Gabriela, Nacib Saad, Colonel Melk Tavares, Mundinho Falcão, Amâncio Leal, and Gloria
Untangling the Rich, Colorful Threads of “Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon”
When I first opened Jorge Amado’s “Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon,” I was greeted with a vibrant vision of Bahia, Brazil. Amado’s prose is like a painter’s brush, coloring the vibrant life forms, the atmosphere, the scents, and all the landscape’s minutiae with a grace that springs right from his heart.
This story reveals two plots harmoniously interwoven. One echoes the battle for political supremacy between traditionalists and modernists, and the other narrates the passionate love between the rustic Gabriela and the Arab bar-owner Nacib.
The Blossoming Bahia
Amado’s depiction of Bahia is a festival of colors, smells, and flavors—the scent of cloves, the iridescent colors of the tropical fruits, the charm of lush greenness—evoking a heartfelt connection with nature.
“Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon” and Human Emotions
Gabriela, an illiterate migrant, embodies the essence and sensuality of Bahia. She is the embodiment of raw pureness, unconscious beauty, and sensuality that invites desire but remains oblivious to it. Amado’s portrayal of Gabriela’s character resonates with the character of O-Lan in Pearl S. Buck’s “The Good Earth”, two innocent souls lost in the complex game of human emotions.
Nacib—The Lover Disheartened
Nacib’s character sketch highlights a key human emotion—of how people change, and how affection can quickly turn into disgust. His emotional turmoil is portrayed convincingly, from his initial vulnerability to ultimate hardness, reflecting elements of Charles Dickens’s equivalently fallen lovers in “A Tale of Two Cities”.
FAQ
What are the central themes of “Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon”?
The central themes of this novel include social change, cultural clash, prostitution, political corruption, racial and gender equality, and the ambiguities of love.
Does Gabriela change over the course of the novel?
Despite the various changes around her, Gabriela essentially remains the same—earthy, sensual, and innocent.
Concluding Thoughts: A Taste of Bahia
“Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon” is not just a book; it is a sensory experience that transports you straight to the heart of Bahia. It’s a vivid journey through cultures, beliefs, and human emotions, where every turn of the page is a new revelation and every character a masterpiece. Hope you relish each line as much as I have—happy reading!
