For many participants, Carnaval makes up the fabric of their social and personal lives. The book Samba by Alma Gullermoprieto documents the author’s yearlong diary, which follows the day to day lives of the residents of Rio’s famous Mangueira favela. Samba is an exhilarating account of her personal journey into a world not often viewed by outsiders, a revealing look at the culture and history of Carnaval from a participant’s perspective. From conversations with the older women of Mangueira weaving their magic and hand made lace as costume makers, to the human drama of the Samba school rehearsals and the ultimate celebration of color and cacophony that Carnaval week brings, this book will take you deep into the soul of Samba. Thousands have been mesmerized with its insight as well as the candid stories and anecdotes.
Other Voices:
From Publishers Weekly
Rio de Janeiro's carnival, seen in the foreign film Black Orpheus , is the site of an annual samba competition. "Guillermoprieto vividly presents the individual stories of principal participants, analyzes the feelings they express in their music and dance, describes the contributions of the various samba schools and offers his interpretation of black Brazilian history and culture," said PW.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Every year the favela (poor sections on the hills of the city) of Rio organize teams of Samba dancers to compete in the yearly carnival. The author follows the preparations from the perspective of the champion Manguiera team, 5000 strong, and finds a serious community project to which all contribute despite their poverty and the high cost of costumes. The Manguiera team honors its African roots in its themes. Tempers and emotions escalate, leading to inevitable disasters which last for months, until finally all collapse into a black and white mass of unfettered sensualism at carnival. This delightful book gives a glimpse into a culture of poverty and its art form, about which too little has been written in English. Photographs would have added to the fun of reading; nevertheless, this will be popular with general readers.
-Louise Leonard, Univ. of Florida Lib., Gainesville
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
