Tieta (The Americas)

Book Description

Banished for promiscuity, Tieta returns to the seaside village of Agreste after twenty-six years. Thinking she is now a rich, respectable widow, her mercenary family welcomes her with open arms. But Tieta is forced to reveal her true identity in order to save the town's beautiful beaches from ugly development. For the only way she can stop the factory is to call upon her close connections in Sao Paulo's highest political and financial circles-as only the Madam of the city's ritziest bordello can.

Customer Reviews:

A Cross between a Tract and a Soap Opera.......2004-05-31

"Tieta" is set in Agreste, a small coastal town in north-eastern Brazil, whose main occupations seem to be fishing (often a cover for smuggling) and goat-breeding. The central character, Tieta herself, left the town as a teenager after being banished from her parents' house for her promiscuous behaviour. After nearly thirty years she returns as a wealthy woman; the local people believe her to be the widow of a prominent businessman, but the truth is that she was the man's mistress rather than his wife and that her wealth was earned as the owner of a high-class brothel in Sao Paulo. Upon her return, Tieta becomes caught up in a campaign against the building of a titanium dioxide factory on the coast near the town.

The novel was written in the seventies and is set in the sixties, and its theme reflects the growing environmental awareness of those decades. In his youth, Amado was an enthusiastic communist, and "Tieta" can be read as an attack upon capitalism, although from an environmentalist viewpoint rather than from a Marxist one. Amado makes it quite clear that his sympathies are with those who hope to prevent the erection of the factory. He paints the industrialists who plan to build the plant as greedy polluters of the environment, and has great fun at the expense of those local people, particularly the local government official Ascanio, who support them out of an abstract belief in "progress" but who have no idea what titanium dioxide is and cannot even say if it is a gas, a liquid or a solid.

Unfortunately, by the end of the novel the reader, unless he or she has some previous knowledge of chemistry, will be just as ignorant of the true nature of titanium dioxide as the hapless Ascanio. In the nearly 700 pages of a novel in which the titanium dioxide industry plays an important part, Senhor Amado does not find room to impart this seemingly important information. Neither does he find room to tell us what this chemical is used for, what economic value it has, how toxic it is, why it poses such a pollution risk, and what measures can be taken to overcome that risk. One is simply left with the impression that it is a deadly poison and that only a particularly evil person would want to manufacture it.

Besides giving us an obviously slanted view of the chemical industry, Amado also gives us an idealised picture of Agreste and its surrounding area. I had always got the impression that the north-east of Brazil was an impoverished area, but in the novel Agreste is frequently described, particularly by Tieta and her travelling companion Leonora, as a "paradise", and some of the local residents echo that description. The town is peaceful and law-abiding, and the only unemployed person seems to be an old beggar named Goatstink. The inhabitants are not exactly rich, but they seem to be content and to have sufficient for their needs. Their main complaint is that life in Agreste is too quiet and that their lives lack excitement. Amado seems to be afraid of the argument that industrial development might relieve poverty and unemployment, so he denies that those factors exist. The area where the new factory is to be built is, of course, a stretch of coastline famous for its beauty. Although the novel was clearly written in support of the "green" cause, it is too biased and one-sided to be of any real help to it.

Besides environmentalism, the novel also deals with another preoccupation of the sixties and seventies, sexual liberation. As well as grasping industrialists, Amado also targets the sexual hypocrisy of Brazilian society. The townspeople of Agreste welcome Tieta because they see her as a rich, respectable widow; if they knew the truth about her, they would reject her, even though most of the male inhabitants of the town themselves frequent the local brothel. One of the few sexually continent characters, Tieta's widowed sister Perpetua, is portrayed as mean-spirited, hypocritical and money-grubbing. Amado's view seems to be that sexual activity, in virtually any form, is a good thing, and that trying to control it only leads to hypocrisy and repression. This is not an erotic novel in the sense of one that contains detailed descriptions of bedroom activity, but it is one in sex is frequently mentioned. There are allusions to most forms of sexual activity, all presented with lip-smacking relish. Amado was so keen to present the arguments for sexual liberalism that he did not stop to consider questions such as whether a brothel is the ideal workplace for a fourteen year old girl. No doubt only a confirmed reactionary like Perpetua would allow herself to be troubled by such questions.

Although I have given the book a largely negative review, readers should not allow that to prejudice themselves against Amado's works in general. This was only the second of his novels that I have read, but the other, "Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon" was much better, and, to my mind, justified the claims that are often made for him as a great novelist. "Tieta" does not. It is overlong and overly propagandist and the characters, with the partial exception of the colourful if shameless Tieta herself, tend towards the stereotypical. (Ruthless businessman, tart with a heart, randy teenager, corrupt politician, frustrated old maid, etc.) The end result resembles a cross between a tract and a soap opera, written by an old man (Amado was in his mid-sixties when he wrote it) trying to be more trendy than the younger generation.

PS. Titanium dioxide is a solid, chiefly used as a white pigment. It is classified as a low toxicity risk except in cases of chronic inhalation.

Great reading.......2002-08-09

Out of any doubt, one of the best latinoamerican novel. It`s beutiful, unforgetable, merely a big pleasure read this master piece. Politics, Poetry, Sex, brasilian landscape, an many another subjects are here. You wont regret of buying this book.
Jorge Amado`s reading is a kind of happiness.

This book is awesome, a must read........1998-04-15

This was the first Amado book I read and it is problably the best to start with. The book combines both political commentary, comedy and sex in a way that you will be glued to the book from beginning to end. Also a feature of this book which makes it extra interesting is how the author stops the book and talks to you, it is as if he were right in front of you. It makes the books so personal and even better. If you like this book or Jorge Amado, please email me.

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Tieta de Agreste, Pastora de Cabras
Jorge Amado
Manufacturer: Losada
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Latin American | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Gabriela, Clavo Y Canela (Novelistas De Nuestra Epoca)

ASIN: 9500340615

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Omaa Tieta Etsimassa
Marja-Liisa Swantz
Manufacturer: Suomen Lahetysseura
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Finnish | More Languages | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: B000OKR9MI

Product Description

Omaa Tieta Etsimassa by Marja-Liisa Swantz

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Tieta
Jorge Amado
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000V6IIMK

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Tieta
Jorge Armado
Manufacturer: Avon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O6FNNY

Tieta - The Goat Girl, or the Return of the Prodigal Daughter...

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Tieta - The Goat Girl, or the Return of the Prodigal Daughter...
Jorge Amado
Manufacturer: Alfred A. Knopf, New York
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000VZJJVU

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Another great book by Jorge Amado!!!

Tieta de Agreste
Jorge Amado
Manufacturer: Ediciones B
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Latin American | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

Another great book by Jorge Amado!!!.......2006-09-21

Read the book and then watch the movie!! Both are fantastic!

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Tieta do Agreste

Manufacturer: Record
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Portuguese | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 8501049115

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Tieta do Agreste
Jorge Amado
Manufacturer: Record
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000TP5IC6

Tieta, the Goat Girl: Or, the Return of the Prodigal Daughter : Melodramatic Serial Novel in Five Sensational Episodes, With a Touching Epilogue, Thr

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Tieta, the Goat Girl: Or, the Return of the Prodigal Daughter : Melodramatic Serial Novel in Five Sensational Episodes, With a Touching Epilogue, Thr
Jorge Amado
Manufacturer: Random House Inc (T)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Latin American | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Portuguese | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 039450139X

Customer Reviews:

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-04

Over-ethical bounty hunting can be hard work.

In a diaspora situation the police have little of coping with the crime situation over such a large area, so bounty hunters are quite popular. The ones that aren't too fussy about dead or alive tend to make more money, which leaves the Bebop crew struggling.

Supergenius crimelord doubles, computer brained dogs and annoying alien girls don't really help.

A Brief Review.......2004-12-28

Okay,so there's been a lot of griping about the "Shooting Star" manga series,when the truth is it's not such a bad series.Of course anyone who is interested in getting into the Bebop franchise, shouldn't go to "Shooting Star" first.In fact this is probably the last Bebop thing you should explore.

With all the said,I think the only flaw with the series are some of the personality changes,but they are slight,and I'll let it go, since this just a "What if?" alternate reality/universe-type situation.The characters designs are also quite different,but I think it fits the whole alternate-universe feel of the manga series.

So if you've watched the series,the movie, read other manga series then check this series out.You may be in for a pleasant surprise(or not)

Good- but with flaws.......2004-07-09

It was a refreshing twist to the Bebop universe. Spike's style was made a little, um, too pushy. He cared too much for his ship. Ed is still Ed, but has a more animeish (is that a word?)look to her (him? not sure about it this time around.)Jet hasn't changed with the new artist, but Faye has turned into a snobby brat. The art is hectic in the fight scenes, but is okay as is. Is worth a look for hardcore Bebop fans, but not for newcomers. See you space cowboy.

How do you ruin Cowboy Bebop? This is a big example!.......2004-05-27

This series is a retelling of Cowboy Bebop supposedly, except for some reason Cain Kuga destroyed the characterization of everyone. Spike is now much lazier than the original, and lacks the laid back yet serious stature he has in the anime, Ed is now a whiny little brat, and Faye is nothing but a brainless (...) The artwork is ugly to look at... no, the character designs are okay, but the action is drawn so odd that it is impossible to tell what is going on. And the stories themselves are very lacking, they do not have the Bebop feeling that the anime does, and devoid of any characterization. Listen to this review: DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY LIKE I DID! I've goofed up so none of you will make the same mistake like me!

Kuga just doesn't understand.......2003-08-15

The good thing is Cain Kuga provides great art for this series. The bad thing is Kuga, as the writer, never grasped the personality or appeal of each character. The subtlety of the anime and the balance of the various personalities aboard the Bobop is lost. The most infuriating is Spike has taken on a whole new personality of stupidity. Instead of a cleverness hidden behind his nonchalant attitude, he has become Bebop's grunt, driven by hunger and little else. There's a reason the manga is being canceled after issue 2.

Book Description

Shabano -- the name for the hamlets of palm-thatched dwellings where the Yanomama Indians of Venezuela and southern Brazil live -- recounts the vivid and unforgettable experience of anthropologists Florinda Donner's time with an indigenous tribe in the endangered rain forest. Shabano dramatically documents the daily life and mysterious rituals of a disappearing people.

Customer Reviews:

Only if you're looking for Indian Culture NOT shamanism.......2006-06-05

If you're familiar with Castaneda's work, this is NOTHING like it. It's a book a about Florinda's experience with indians. It has a lot about they're culture, and some far references to shamanism (as part of the indian comunity). It's NOT a book in witch you will learn about shamans like Castaneda.

A have not yet read her other books concerning Don Juan's teachings. I believe they are worth a try.

I feel like I've lost my time, hence this review. And I haven't even bought the book.

best understood in a broader perspective.......2005-07-22

Florinda's books seem to have been written (or published) in the inverse order of the experiences that gave rise to them, if I understand correctly (there are a few references here and there to her past). In light of this, it's useful to know that she was hardly the "geeky anthropologist" (as another reviewer put it) that she appears to be.
This book could have been better if she'd been more open about her background. In all of her books she presents herself as being a little dumb or naive, likely in order to help the ordinary reader empathize with her character. I don't know if this is really necessary. Castaneda, likewise, always plays the idiot in his books, yet with him it's a transparent technique, whereas with her she never lets on...
I recommend reading all three of her books, in the opposite order that they were published in, starting with Being-in-Dreaming. They're not among the absolute best in this genre, but seem much more genuine than most of the others.

Very interesting.......2005-04-06

A female anthropologist spends several months deep in the Amazon with primitive Indians, learns to live like them andt is eventually regarded as powerful, shamanistic.

Writes that the Indians believe that the power can be taken from a strong woman if a shaman sleeps with her, even if she's unconscious. He did, and she was, but she was on the way out of the jungle so we don't know if it worked.

Florinda's Excellent Adventure.......2003-09-17

So, y'know, like, there's this really geeky anthropologist ? She's goin around with a notebook and tape recorder, and like sticking her nose in all these foreign people's business ? She probably even, like, goes in for all kindsa dorky music, you know, like Bay Thoven or Lawrence Whelk ? But one day, she goes, "Whoa, dude ! Like I'm outta here." and like she disappears into the Amazon jungle with this Indian who's like totally cool. You shoulda seen his abs. She takes along a big diamond and a pearl, but no matches. She winds up hanging out with this Indian tribe deep in the forest who eat all kinds of totally yucky things, sleep in hammocks, and don't even have TV. Amazing. She shoots fish with arrows, goes around naked, gets into body painting, and really gets into the culture, you know what I mean ? And she really digs the Indian philosophy-`cuz y'know they're like really close to nature. They know stuff that we don't know, magic and everything. Awesome sunsets and storms too. The real downer was she lost all her notes and photos. What a bummer, huh ? But she gave them her diamond and pearl before she came back to L.A.

Yes, sorry about that. SHABONO is an excellent read----descriptions of the jungle, the Indians, and adventures galore. I would say it is engrossing and well worth a few hours of your time. If, however, you are looking for anthropology, if you are looking for information about the oft-studied Yanomamo, the world's official "Primitive People", then give this book a miss. It's unbelievable. Donner definitely knew something about the Yanomamo, but how much time she ever spent with them is open to question. This book could have been written as anthropo-fiction. If that is the case, then I owe the author an apology because it deserves five stars as an effort in that direction. But with endorsements by Carlos Castaneda on front and back covers, I think she wanted readers to believe that this all happened. No way, dude.

A book for schoolkids!.......2001-11-28

HOnestly, I enjoyed this book. It was just that I read it when I was about 16 years old. It was fun, yes. Yet I got the strange feeling that I could have written that book after just my intro to anthropology course in my freshman year in college. I could excuse myself to the readers that I was not going to use orthodox anthropological methods, and then let my imagination run wild. So much for the power and luck idea. All tough CAstaneda readers like myself might find themselves a bit disappointed. The Yanomamo is indeed one of the best studied groups in the world! You could watch an educational video and write a review with some made up moments with a similar result true for this book that it was made through dreaming. So, all teens, go buy the book. Some cool sex with the natives. Some drugs. THat is all. Dn't fall in love with it:)Hey, I am not arguing that the information is false, just the way it is presented looks kinda phoney... well, the gal did a good job, but could have been better, she is a sorcerer after all! But I guess they do not make the witches the way they used to anymore.

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Little Sicilian Cookbook (Little Cookbook Series)
Mary Maw , and R. Patterson
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Italian | European | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0811811492

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10-Pak Little Sicilian Cookbook Hc

Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0811892824

Book Description

Miniature embroideries from the Tudor age-all richly patterned and historically correct-are a brilliant touch in period dolls' houses. From sumptuous bed hangings and elaborate screens to imaginative, skillfully produced chair covers, footstools, and cushions, the variety will amaze and inspire. Canvaswork, stumpwork, crewelwork, and blackwork are just some of the techniques employed, and instructions cover design transfers, bonding, coloring, and finishing. Among the splendid pieces: Oxburgh Bed Hangings, originally stitched by Queen Mary of Scots, with panels featuring dozens of animal, floral, fruit, and other motifs; a glittering Gold Trellis Bedcover and Pillow; a Landscape Carpet (from an original in the Victoria and Albert Museum), and decorative mirror frames, pincushions, and a Millefleurs screen.

Book Description

Germany's second most popular destination after Berlin is a city that enjoys contradicting itself. It's a place that's held on to age-old folk traditions but also serves as a haven for high-minded sophistication. It has a vibrant arts scene and a staggering array of museums yet also hosts the popular Oktoberfest. It should be no surprise then, that its thriving restaurant scene offers food and ambience of infinite variety. This selection of innovatively designed restaurant, bar and café interiors, copiously illustrated with over 130 color photographs and recipes from selected hot spots, serves as a guide to Munich's most fashionable dining destinations.

Customer Reviews:

Around the world in two hours........2002-02-09

It is not possible for you to go around the world in two hours to look at outstanding ads, product packagings, or display stands at various airports plus getting to know the people behind such works. But this over-size book will help you do exactly that. If you need ideas, this is it. From Western Europe, South America, South Africa, Asia 22 counties in all. Fantastic collection !!!

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