Divisorias de Vidro are the second of four parts in the Vidro Language Renaissance series. The first of these was entitled, The Divisorias de Vidro, and this was the story of two generations of Vidro peasant farmers who immigrated to the new land of Portugal. The second book was The Divisorias De Autorema. This tale begins when a caravan of merchants from Calpe takes place upon a caravan of slaves from the Amazon jungles.
These new characters are sold into slavery and spent their lives in the deep Amazon jungle. There they become acquainted with all the new luxuries of Portugal, especially the capital city of Lisbon, and through them they learn the language of Latin and also learn to trade with the new people of Portugal. This is the story told by the novel's main character, Pedro.
As their slave, Pedro has many opportunities to speak with his master, such as making him a cup of tea, or learning his new ways in the kitchen. But he always returns home to the harsh reality of the plantations where he is forced to work until he can afford to buy his freedom. He finally escapes to Lisbon, where he finally finds work as a steward and then a chef. Inevitably, however, these experiences bring him back to the Amazon jungles, and it is there that he sees the depraved activities of the gold digging that had once brought forth the story of his ancestors.
This is an engrossing, well-written novel that delves deeply into the idyllic Brazil of the nineteenth century. It begins in a modern setting in the city of Lisbon, where the novel's protagonist, Pedro, is given the task of translating a piece of Portuguese literature. Once the translation is complete, he returns to his homeland and finds work as a translator in the coffee fields of Caucedo, a remote community of extraordinary men and women. The novel slowly reveals the backwoods life of Caucedo and the people who dwell within it, providing insights into their culture and their economy. Throughout it becomes apparent that Pedro's family was involved in the gold digging efforts in the past and how their pursuit for wealth destroyed the very society they were born to.
Divisorias de vidro em jundiai is not a novel for the faint of heart. It contains very vivid descriptions of the rural life in which the novelists had lived, including descriptions of the horrific suffering that some of the indigenous tribes suffered at the hands of their gold diggers. However, despite its graphic nature, the novel stays with you long after you have finished. Divisorias proves that once you have experienced the laborious details of a traditional Brazilian holiday, you will never forget the beauty and joys of the place, and you will want to return again.
In short, this novel is an adventure tale of a remarkable people, filled with adventure and morality. If you enjoy adventure, then this novel is for you. If you enjoy learning about the cultures of Brazil and if you like exploring the natural beauties of the Amazon, then this novel is for you. Divisorias De Vidro Em Jundiai can be recommended to those readers who have enjoyed The Last Paradise, as well as those who prefer contemporary novels written in a realistic but entertaining style.
