Brazil is a country of vibrant colors, music, and spirited people. Home to the Amazon jungle, stunning beaches and beautiful mountain ranges, it’s no wonder why Brazil draws in so many travelers from all over the world. The music is some of the most unique and inspiring on earth; music styles range from samba to bossa nova, making it easy to marvel in both traditional Brazilian music and a mix of new sounds. Brazilians are known for their friendliness and hospitality which makes it a great place to make new friends. As for food, don’t forget their great seafood dishes and national treats like brigadeiros!

 

Books

1

3.9/5

The Alchemist

by Paulo Coelho

2

4.1/5

The Hour of
the Star

by Clarice Lispector

3

4.3/5

Dom
Casmurro

by Machado de Assis

4

4.1/5

The Passion
According to G.H.

by Clarice Lispector

5

4.1/5

Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon

by Jorge Amado

This international bestseller tells the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who dreams of discovering a treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. Along the way, he encounters a series of obstacles and meets various characters who help him on his journey. Through Santiago’s experiences, Coelho shares a message of hope, perseverance, and the power of following one’s dreams.

This novella follows the life of Macabéa, a poor and uneducated woman living in Rio de Janeiro. Lispector explores themes of identity, class, and the human condition through Macabéa’s struggles and relationships. The story is both heartbreaking and thought-provoking, and Lispector’s unique writing style adds an extra layer of complexity to the narrative.

This classic Brazilian novel tells the story of Bento Santiago, a wealthy lawyer who suspects his wife, Capitu, of infidelity. The novel is a masterpiece of unreliable narration, as the reader must question whether Bento’s suspicions are founded or if they are merely a product of his own paranoia. Through Bento’s tale, Machado de Assis explores themes of love, jealousy, and the complexities of human relationships.

In this experimental novel, Lispector tells the story of a wealthy Rio de Janeiro woman known only as G.H. who, after firing her maid, discovers a cockroach in her apartment and proceeds to have a profound existential crisis. The novel delves into themes of identity, spirituality, and the nature of reality, and Lispector’s stream-of-consciousness style adds to the surreal and haunting tone of the narrative.

The story is set in the 1920s in the fictional town of Ilhéus, located in the cocoa-growing region of Bahia, Brazil. The novel follows the story of Nacib Saad, a Syrian immigrant who runs a bar and marries Gabriela, a beautiful and sensual young woman who becomes a cook in his establishment. The book explores themes of race, class, and gender, as well as the clash between tradition and modernity in Brazilian society. The vivid descriptions of the tropical landscape and the sensuous and colorful characters make the book a delightful and entertaining read.

Movies

Play Video

1

4.3/5

City of God

Play Video

2

4/5

Tropa De Elite

Play Video

3

3.7/5

Bicho de Sete
Cabeças

Play Video

4

4/5

Central do Brasil

Play Video

5

3.7/5

A Dog's Will

A crime drama film that depicts the rise of organized crime in the Cidade de Deus neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro during the 1960s and 1970s. The film follows the lives of several young men as they navigate through the violence and corruption of the favela.

A crime drama film that follows the daily lives of a group of elite police officers in Rio de Janeiro, as they attempt to clean up the city’s slums and take down powerful drug lords. The film offers a gritty, realistic look at the city’s law enforcement and the struggles they face on a daily basis.

A drama film that tells the story of a young man named Neto who is wrongfully committed to a psychiatric institution by his father. The film explores themes of mental illness, family dynamics, and the failures of the Brazilian healthcare system.

A drama film that follows the journey of a retired schoolteacher named Dora who writes letters for illiterate people in Rio de Janeiro’s Central Station. The film explores themes of loneliness, poverty, and human connection as Dora helps a young boy find his father.

A comedy film that tells the story of a group of outlaws who are hired to kill a wealthy landowner in the Brazilian sertão. The film offers a humorous take on the western genre, with a cast of colorful characters and a witty script.

Music

Brazil is known for its vibrant and diverse music scene, which encompasses a wide range of styles and genres. One of the most famous styles of Brazilian music is samba, which originated in Rio de Janeiro in the early 20th century and is characterized by its fast-paced rhythms and joyful lyrics. Another popular style is bossa nova, which emerged in the late 1950s and is known for its laid-back, smooth sound and sophisticated harmonies. Other genres of Brazilian music include forró, a style of dance music from the northeast of Brazil, and MPB (Música Popular Brasileira), which encompasses a broad range of popular styles such as rock, pop, and jazz. Brazil has also produced many famous musicians, including Tom Jobim, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and Elis Regina, whose music has gained international acclaim and helped to popularize Brazilian music around the world.

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