- “Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon” by Jorge Amado: Set in the fictional town of Ilhéus, this novel explores the love story between the Lebanese immigrant Nacib and the beautiful Gabriela, against the backdrop of cocoa plantations and social change.
- “Don Casmurro” by Machado de Assis: Often considered a masterpiece of Brazilian literature, this novel revolves around the narrator, Bentinho, and his relationship with Capitu, exploring themes of love, jealousy, and suspicion.
- “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho: While not strictly set in Brazil throughout, this internationally bestselling novel follows Santiago, a Spanish shepherd boy, on a journey across the Pyramids of Egypt and other settings, including Brazil, in search of his personal legend.
- “The Hour of the Star” by Clarice Lispector: This introspective novel is set in Rio de Janeiro and tells the story of Macabéa, a poor, uneducated girl, and her search for identity, love, and purpose in life.
- “Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands” by Jorge Amado: Set in Salvador, Bahia, this novel humorously explores the life of Dona Flor, a widow who marries a ghost while her living husband visits her in her dreams.
- “Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas” (The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas) by Machado de Assis: This satirical novel tells the life story of Brás Cubas, a wealthy Brazilian narrator who reflects upon his experiences after his death.
- “The War of the End of the World” by Mario Vargas Llosa: While not entirely set in Brazil, this novel is loosely based on the historic Canudos revolt in the late 19th century. It explores the clash between messianic beliefs and the government’s efforts to suppress the uprising.
- “The Seamstress” by Frances de Pontes Peebles: This historical novel is set in 1920s Brazil and follows the lives of two sisters, Emília and Luzia, as they navigate social and political upheavals, love, and personal growth.
- “The Brothers” by Milton Hatoum: Set in Manaus, Amazonas, this novel delves into the complex relationships and family dynamics of a twin brother and sister, Yaqub and Omar, against the backdrop of the city’s transformation.
- “Captains of the Sands” by Jorge Amado: Set in Salvador, Bahia, this novel tells the story of a group of street children who form a gang known as the Captains of the Sands, struggling to survive in the face of poverty, violence, and social prejudice.
WANDERLIST: Ten famous novels set in Brazil
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