Travels in BrazilTravels in Brazil, first published in 1816, has proved to be ageless. It is a remarkably full and balanced account of one significant region of that mammoth land, Brazil. Henry Koster, an intuitively good storyteller, easily and naturally wove the commonplace as well as the unique of everyday experience into the fabric of words which fairly mirrored the realities of life. Without abusing truth, Koster's narrative is picturesque and anecdotal, often exhibiting an almost casual conversational tone. Even as he generally advocated evolutionary change in Brazil, he was unceasing in his condemnation of slavery, the slave trade, and those "useless beings," the friars of northeastern Brazil. Time and time again he exhibited a total lack of color prejudice. What he liked, he liked as an honest man; what he disliked, he disliked as an honest man. His interest in Brazilian manners and customs was unceasing: dances and dinners, festivals and funerals, weddings and work patterns, christenings and conversations, houses and hospitality--all these, and more, repeatedly drew his attention which blended curiosity and objectivity about Brazilian life from the level of governors and bishops to slaves and Indians. His sensitive use of his own language resulted in a book that is not dated. At all times his personal experiences can readily be separated from the hearsay, anecdotes, and history which he uses on occasion. Reprinted here in less than one-half its original size, this edition retains the author's own words. The abridgment has simplified the wordy chapter headings; occasional chapters have been condensed. All chapters based on historical research have been deleted. Koster's employment of foreign words, informative and colorful rather than pedantic and irritating, is honored and retained; the only changes being those that bring his Portuguese into line with modern Brazilian practice.--From book jacket. |
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acquainted allowed appearance arrived become Brazil brought building called cane carried cattle church close cloth color considerable consists contains continued cottage cotton covered crossed distance door dressed dwelling entered formed former four frequently friars give given governor ground habit half hands hill horses immediately Indians individuals inhabitants Jaguaribe kind Lady lands latter leagues leave less likewise manner master mill morning mulatto Negroes night o'clock obtained occasions officers orders owner party passed Pernambuco persons plant plantation possess present priest proceeded produce quantity reached received Recife remain removed resided rest river road runs seen sent side situated slaves sometimes soon speaking stands sugar taken took town trade Travels trees usual village whole wish women wood young