The Discovery of America by the Turks

The Discovery of America by the Turks is a 77-page novel by Brazilian author Jorge Amado, written in 1994 and translated to English in 2012. The work originated as a commissioned piece for the 500th anniversary of America's discovery, though the intended publication never materialized. The narrative follows two Middle Eastern immigrants in early 1900s Brazil - Raduan Murad and Jamil Bichara - who arrive from Syria and Lebanon on the same ship in 1903. The story takes place in Brazil's cocoa-producing region, where one friend attempts to arrange a marriage between the other and a merchant's daughter. Despite the title's reference to Turks, the main characters are Arab immigrants who were commonly labeled as "Turks" in Brazil due to their Ottoman Empire documentation. The text explores the immigrant experience in Brazil during a period of significant Middle Eastern migration to South America. The novel examines themes of cultural identity, friendship, and the complex relationships between immigrant communities and their adopted homeland. Through its focus on Arab immigrants in Brazil, the work presents a unique perspective on the ongoing process of American discovery and settlement.

Readers highlight this novella as one of Amado's lesser-known but entertaining works. The narrative's humor and depiction of Arab-Brazilian immigrant experiences resonate with many readers. Liked: - Light, comedic tone - Cultural observations of immigrant life - Quick pacing and readability - Commentary on Brazilian diversity Disliked: - Dated gender roles and ethnic stereotypes - Some find the plot too simple - Translation quality varies between editions - Short length leaves characters underdeveloped Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (212 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (6 ratings) Online reviews note the book works better as "a brief character study than a full story" (Goodreads reviewer). Multiple readers mention enjoying the historical portrayal of Syrian/Lebanese immigrants in Brazil but feeling uncomfortable with some ethnic portrayals. One Amazon reviewer called it "a quick, amusing read that offers a unique perspective on Brazilian immigration."

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🌟 During Brazil's cocoa boom (1890-1930), the country became one of the world's largest cocoa producers, transforming regions like Bahia where the novel is set 🌟 An estimated 100,000 Lebanese and Syrian immigrants arrived in Brazil between 1884-1939, forming one of the largest Arab diasporas in the Americas 🌟 Jorge Amado is Brazil's most translated author, with works published in 49 languages and available in 55 countries 🌟 The term "Turks" for Middle Eastern immigrants arose because many arrived with Ottoman Turkish passports, as Lebanon and Syria were then part of the Ottoman Empire 🌟 The city of Itabuna, where part of the novel takes place, was officially established in 1910 and grew rapidly due to cocoa wealth, becoming known as the "Capital of Cocoa"