Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands     by Jorge Amado, Translated by Harriet de Onís Original title: Dona Flor e seus dois maridos Original language: Portuguese Country: Brazil   Published by Avon Pub. Date: May 1998 Format: Mass Market Paperback, 622 pages Dimensions: 1.45 x 6.86 x 4.17 in. ISBN: 0380017962 List Price: $7.99 Buy online from Amazon.com for $7.99 Publisher Unknown Pub. Place: UK List Price: £9.99 Not available for ordering Published by Knopf Pub. Date: 1969 Pub. Place: USA Format: Hardcover Not available for ordering

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Here is Amado’s book of Bahian cuisine, with its African, tropical and coastal elements celebrated throughout Brazil. See for instance ; what to serve at a wake (p1), Dona Flor’s recipe for marinated crabs (p14), stewed turtle and other unusual dishes (p221) and the culinary likes and dislikes of deities (p421).

The reader will not find a complete cookery book in this, one of Amado’s most famous works, but might enjoy his recipe for an international best-seller. The story of the beautiful Dona Flor is set in the lush tropics of Bahia (on the North-East coast of Brazil). Flor marries Vadinho — gambler, bohemian, womaniser. Make him die, still young and charming, during the celebration of Carnival. Bring the story to a simmer in the tears of Dona Flor the widow, suffering from the tongues of the local gossips and from her own memories of pleasure and impossible desire. Add a new husband — with a degree, a pharmacy, some money, and complete devotion to his lovely new wife. When the narrative is about to fall into the boring rut of middle-class marriage, add the supernatural element that will give an exquisite flavour to the dish.

Undoubtedly, only Jorge Amado could season this everyday plot and turn it into a special dish of Bahian cuisine composed of humour, love, sex, friendship, bohemian life, social analysis and unforgettable characters. All of them are present in Amado’s pages and in the streets of Bahia, in the ‘fearsome battle between spirit and matter’.

I am the husband of the poor Dona Flor, the one who comes to stir up your longing and provoke your desire, hidden in the depths of your being, your modesty. He is the husband of Madame Dona Flor, who protects your virtue, your honour, your respect among people. He is your outward face, I your inner, the lover whom you don’t know how and can’t bear to evade. We are your two husbands, your two faces, your yes, your no. To be happy you need both of us. 535