“Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon” by Jorge Amado (Brazil) Favourite Quote Life was good, one had only to live it. To warm oneself in the sun, then take a cold bath; to eat guavas and mangoes, to chew peppercorn, to walk through the streets, to sing songs, to sleep with a young man. And to dream of another. Synopsis Ilheus in 1925 is a booming town … Continue reading Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon
“The Bad Girl” by Mario Vargas Llosa (Peru) Review Readers enjoyed the book, describing it as an easy read and one they couldn’t put down. They liked the sense of place and the detailed descriptions of the different cities the characters live in or visit. They enjoyed the background information on the political situation in Peru as it evolves during the course of the story … Continue reading The Bad Girl
“Eva Luna” by Isabel Allende (Chile) One of Nicola’s 100 best books for inspiration in the 21st century! Review Most readers really enjoyed the book. They loved the rich descriptions of the different places and people. They liked Allende’s style of writing, which they described as confident and captivating. Most of the discussion centred on the part of the story set in South America and … Continue reading Eva Luna
“Love in the Time of Cholera” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Colombia) Review Members of the Book Club enjoyed the story a lot, though some said it took them a while to get into it. For others, it was their second or third reading: they found that it got better each time and described it as a very generous and kind novel. Everyone liked the descriptions … Continue reading Love in the Time of Cholera
“The Zahir” by Paulo Coelho (Brazil) Synopsis and Review “The Zahir”: we can think of nothing else One day a renowned author discovers that his wife, a war correspondent, has disappeared leaving no trace. Though time brings more success and new love, he remains mystified – and increasingly fascinated – by her absence. Was she kidnapped, blackmailed, or simply bored with their marriage? The unrest … Continue reading The Zahir
“City of God” by Paulo Lins (Brazil) Synopsis and Review “City of God”: an eternity of poverty, revenge and violence? Based on a true story, this is a frighteningly moving account of daily life of gang members in one of Rio de Janeiro’s notorious slums, Cidade de Deus. The author, Paulo Lins, moved to the City of God housing project when he was seven and … Continue reading City of God
“Black Waltz” by Patricia Melo (Brazil) Synopsis and Review “Black Waltz”: a dance spiralling into insanity Jealousy is the focus of this classic psychological thriller by one of Brazil’s most acclaimed writers. A successful conductor of a major symphony orchestra is married to a gifted violinist close to thirty years his junior. But he is haunted by a voice that gnaws at his trust, his … Continue reading Black Waltz
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