Tocaia Grande
Jorge Amado
 The novel deals with the foundation of a community, Tocaia Grande ("big ambush" in Portuguese), in a fertile agricultural zone The ambush referred to in the title is carried out by Natario de Fonseca, a jagunço in the service of a plantation owner, colonel Boaventura. Twenty gunfighters in the service of the latter's only political rival are killed, effectively destroying the opponent. As a reward, Natario is given a small holding. With his help the community grows into a town. Other important characters are a Lebanese immigrant, Fadul, owner of the general store - renowned for his stubbornness and physical strength; Castor de Abduim, a handsome blacksmith, whose companion Diva dies in a cholera outbreak; Bernarda, a young prostitute who becomes Natario's lover; and a group of farmers from Sergipe, whose arrival initiates a colourful blending of Bahian traditions with those of the original inhabitants.