Book Review: The Swallow and the Tom Cat by Jorge Amado

This classic Brazilian children’s novel tells the prohibited love story between a swallow and a cat. The story is set in an animal forest full of inhabitants of all species: the knowledgeable old owl, a handsome and gentle nightingale, a cheerful swallow, and the ugly, popularly feared stripped cat. The cat’s old and mean appearance along with his selfish and grumpy demeanor were the cause for his loneliness. Due to the rumors that circulated around the forest, all the inhabitants avoided his presence at all times. They feared the unknown, they gossiped about his strong and mysterious appearance, and protected the young ones from his wickedness.

However, the cat was also notorious for his short temper and prey drive; one of the current rumors was that he had stolen a hatchling from Mother Wood Thrush’s nest. The next morning, after learning that he had eaten her baby bird, she committed suicide by pushing herself in the thorn of a mandacaru (a common Brazilian cactus found in the Northeast). Although the inhabitants were aware of his evil, some still greeted him every morning. Not because of their friendliness or kindness, but because of fear. The cat’s solitude was not apparent; he carried himself as if he didn’t need or want anyone else in his life. The only acquaintance he had, was the Old Owl, one of the oldest members of the village. All the other creatures were surprised that the two exchanged deep conversations every afternoon. The Old Owl tried telling everyone that the rumors were were not real. However, despite their respect for him, they all continued to avoid the evil stripped cat.

During the joyful start of a sunny Spring day, the entire village appreciated nature and felt the warmth of the sun. After noticing everyone’s happiness, the grumpy cat decided to leave his home to celebrate with his neighbors. Once he stepped foot outside, all eyes were on him. Everyone moved away to protect themselves, and immediately stopped what they were doing. Soon, they all noticed a smile on his face as he stretched his chest and body. Was he showing a sign of delight? Or was he going crazy? Despite everyone’s surprised reactions to his happiness, the only one who seemed to appreciate the cat’s his presence was a beautiful young swallow. This swallow was to be married to an admired nightingale at the start of the Autumn. However, as the Spring developed, so did the genuine love between a predator and a prey; the cat and the swallow.

After a few months passed, the entire village was against their friendship. Their preconceived notions led to discrimination and disapproval from her family and neighbors. Their arguments against him were his lack of religiousness, difference of species, difference in age, and suspecting of his true intentions and character. The cat and swallow continued to meet secretly every morning throughout the Spring and Summer. They were falling in love regardless of her situation! Throughout their times together, there was a vast conspiracy against the “evil” cat; and, involving Reverend Parrot, a religious pillar of their society. When the Autumn began, the swallow suddenly stopped meeting the cat. He fell into profound solitude, and felt abandoned by his true love. The cat then confided his broken heart and feelings to the Old Owl, who told him about the nightingale’s arranged marriage with the swallow. The cat confronted her about it, and all she had to say was “this is the last time we will ever see each other, because a Swallow can never marry a Cat.” The cat consequently walked through “the narrow paths of the forest, until the end of the world.” (Amado, 1976.)

This romantic novel was very influential in Brazil because it was written in 1948, when racism, segregation, and discrimination were more prevalent. (It still is, unfortunately.) What most captivated me was that it was written as a birthday present to his one year old son. It wasn’t meant to be published at first. The author wanted to teach his child an important lesson about society and how preconceived notions can destroy someone’s individuality. We can see this when the cat went from overly confident and reserved, to self-conscious about who he is, then to giving up on love. All because they were from different species. This novel is powerful because it comprises those issues by using anthropomorphism. Another aspect of it that I loved was the involvement of religious disapproval of an interracial marriage (or in this case, “inter-species marriage”) which was extremely common back in the day. The narrative was amazing, and the author uses descriptive imagery to show discrepancies in sociocultural aspects of Brazilian society. Additionally, something that was interesting was his use of the four seasons. Their romance started during the Spring, when flowers start to blossom. The romance lasted through the summer, and ended during the Autumn. To me, the autumn symbolized longing for a loved one. And during the rough months of winter, she married the Nightingale; which can symbolize her cold heartedness and the Tom Cat’s dramatic end.

Although this novel is a love story in children’s literature, it was extremely popular among adults because of the Brazil’s history of discrimination, racism, anti-tolerance toward people of other religions (even those who don’t necessarily believe in anything). At the end of the novel, when the cat ‘walks to the end of the world’, the author added “Amen. – Reverend Parrot.” This can signify that the strict religious criticism also led to the end of their genuine love.

Works cited:

Amado, J. (1982). The swallow and the tom cat: A grown-up love story. New York: Delacorte.