Bom-Crioulo: The Black Man and the Cabin Boy

novel by Caminha

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July 19, 2026

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Bom-Crioulo: The Black Man and the Cabin Boy is a landmark naturalist novel by Adolfo Caminha, published in 1895. It is notable for its Black protagonist and its candid exploration of homosexuality. The novel is considered a significant work within Brazilian literature for its open treatment of themes that were often taboo at the time. Caminha's writing style is characterized by its depiction of human passions and the often violent aspects of urban life. The novel's focus on a Black protagonist also distinguishes it within the naturalist movement.1

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Brazilian literature
Emergence of the republic
Bom-Crioulo: The Black Man and the Cabin Boy) is a landmark naturalist text because of its black protagonist as well as its open treatment of homosexuality. With their portrayals of human passions, Caminha’s works often depict the violent and unseemly sides of urban life.
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Bom-Crioulo: The Black Man and the Cabin Boy) is a landmark naturalist text because of its black protagonist as well as its open treatment of homosexuality. With their portrayals of human passions, Caminha’s works often depict the violent and unseemly sides of urban life.
Read More