Funny, intelligent, often tender, not infrequently raunchy . . . The tale unfolds with twists worthy of a Shakespearean comedy, but what is truly memorable are Amado's character portraits and his vibrant comic scenes of Brazilian life. . . . [An] excellent example of the particular mixture of folkloric elements and high-literary storytelling for which Amado is often paired with Gabriel Garcia Marquez. -- The Wall Street Journal Delightful . . . A wonder of the art of narration [by] the voice, the feeling, and the joy of Brazil. --Jose Saramago, from the Foreword Hugely entertaining . . . Amado's version of Brazil is seductive. -- The Times Literary Supplement Cause for rejoicing . . . Irresistible . . . Thoroughly satisfying. There's more packed into the slender The Discovery of America by the Turks than many a novel five times its length, delivered with zest and spice and an unashamed love of physical pleasure. Perhaps more than any other author, Jorge Amado can capture in words the simple, radiant joys of living. -- Shelf Awareness