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Spice and the Devil's Cave
A story of the rivalry between Arab traders, the city-state of Venice, and of the struggling nation of Portugal to dominate the spice trade by finding a new sea route to India by going around the "Devil's Cave" -- the Cape of Good Hope. In Lisbon, the workshop of Abel Zakuto, a Jew, becomes the meeting place for Vasco da Gama, Bartholomeu Dias, and Ferdinand Magellan to discuss their plans to find this sea route. How the Jews furthered the work of discovery plays a significant part in the story.
331 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1930
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June 25, 2023
ENGLISH: A historic novel about the organization of the journey commanded by Vasco de Gama that opened the trade route to India bordering Africa, seen from the point of view of a family of Jews living in Lisbon and some of their Christian friends.
The novel has a certain anti-Spanish tendency, addressed mainly to the expulsion of Jews and Muslims, and a certain ignorance about Spanish questions, such as the name Spain, which was little used at the time, when Castile and Aragon were still theoretically separated, as they would be until the time of Charles I of Spain and V of the Sacred Roman-Germanic Empire.
Some of the plot elements have been invented by the author to make the story more thrilling. I am not aware that Ferdinand Magellan was related to the historical characters in the novel in the way it is presented. And I don't think credible that the Republic of Venice would agree with the Barbary pirates to attack and kill Vasco da Gama during his return trip from India. And to top it all, she attributes to Venice the plan to open the Suez Canal.
There are a few mistakes due to the fact that the author does not know Portuguese customs well. For example, in the last chapter, when two of her protagonists get married, she says that Abel was the first to call her "Mrs. Conti". Obviously, she does not know that in Portugal (and Spain) married women do not change their name, taking their husband's surname, as in other European countries and the U.S.
Another mistake: the prefix "Dom" was not used before the last name, but always before the first name. So "Dom Gama" is incorrect, it should be "Dom Vasco" or "Dom Vasco da Gama".
This novel was far too long for me. I longed to come to the end.
ESPAÑOL: Novela histórica sobre la organización del viaje de Vasco de Gama que abrió la ruta comercial a la India bordeando África, vista desde el punto de vista de una familia de judíos de Lisboa y de algunos de sus amigos cristianos.
La novela tiene cierta tendencia antiespañola, sobre todo en relación con la expulsión de judíos y musulmanes, y cierto desconocimiento sobre cuestiones españolas, como el nombre España, que se usaba poco en la época, cuando Castilla y Aragón estaban aún separadas teóricamente, y lo estarían hasta el tiempo de Carlos I de España y V del Sacro Imperio Romano-Germánico.
Algunos de los elementos de la trama han sido inventados por la autora para darle más emoción al relato. No me consta que Fernando de Magallanes tuviera relación con los personajes históricos de la novela, de la forma en que se presenta. Y no me parece creíble que República de Venecia se pusiera de acuerdo con los piratas berberiscos para atacar y matar a Vasco de Gama durante su viaje de vuelta desde la India. Y para colmo atribuye a Venecia el plan de abrir el Canal de Suez.
Hay algunos errores debidos a que la autora no conoce bien las costumbres portuguesas. Por ejemplo, en el último capítulo, cuando dos de sus protagonistas se casan, dice que Abel fue el primero en llamarla "señora de Conti". Evidentemente, ignora que en Portugal (y en España) las mujeres que se casan no cambian de nombre, tomando el apellido de su marido, como en otros países europeos y los Estados Unidos.
Otro error: el prefijo "Dom" no se usaba delante del apellido, sino siempre delante del nombre. De modo que "Dom Gama" es incorrecto, se decía "Dom Vasco" o "Dom Vasco da Gama".
Esta novela se me hizo muy larga. Estaba deseando que se acabase.
The novel has a certain anti-Spanish tendency, addressed mainly to the expulsion of Jews and Muslims, and a certain ignorance about Spanish questions, such as the name Spain, which was little used at the time, when Castile and Aragon were still theoretically separated, as they would be until the time of Charles I of Spain and V of the Sacred Roman-Germanic Empire.
Some of the plot elements have been invented by the author to make the story more thrilling. I am not aware that Ferdinand Magellan was related to the historical characters in the novel in the way it is presented. And I don't think credible that the Republic of Venice would agree with the Barbary pirates to attack and kill Vasco da Gama during his return trip from India. And to top it all, she attributes to Venice the plan to open the Suez Canal.
There are a few mistakes due to the fact that the author does not know Portuguese customs well. For example, in the last chapter, when two of her protagonists get married, she says that Abel was the first to call her "Mrs. Conti". Obviously, she does not know that in Portugal (and Spain) married women do not change their name, taking their husband's surname, as in other European countries and the U.S.
Another mistake: the prefix "Dom" was not used before the last name, but always before the first name. So "Dom Gama" is incorrect, it should be "Dom Vasco" or "Dom Vasco da Gama".
This novel was far too long for me. I longed to come to the end.
ESPAÑOL: Novela histórica sobre la organización del viaje de Vasco de Gama que abrió la ruta comercial a la India bordeando África, vista desde el punto de vista de una familia de judíos de Lisboa y de algunos de sus amigos cristianos.
La novela tiene cierta tendencia antiespañola, sobre todo en relación con la expulsión de judíos y musulmanes, y cierto desconocimiento sobre cuestiones españolas, como el nombre España, que se usaba poco en la época, cuando Castilla y Aragón estaban aún separadas teóricamente, y lo estarían hasta el tiempo de Carlos I de España y V del Sacro Imperio Romano-Germánico.
Algunos de los elementos de la trama han sido inventados por la autora para darle más emoción al relato. No me consta que Fernando de Magallanes tuviera relación con los personajes históricos de la novela, de la forma en que se presenta. Y no me parece creíble que República de Venecia se pusiera de acuerdo con los piratas berberiscos para atacar y matar a Vasco de Gama durante su viaje de vuelta desde la India. Y para colmo atribuye a Venecia el plan de abrir el Canal de Suez.
Hay algunos errores debidos a que la autora no conoce bien las costumbres portuguesas. Por ejemplo, en el último capítulo, cuando dos de sus protagonistas se casan, dice que Abel fue el primero en llamarla "señora de Conti". Evidentemente, ignora que en Portugal (y en España) las mujeres que se casan no cambian de nombre, tomando el apellido de su marido, como en otros países europeos y los Estados Unidos.
Otro error: el prefijo "Dom" no se usaba delante del apellido, sino siempre delante del nombre. De modo que "Dom Gama" es incorrecto, se decía "Dom Vasco" o "Dom Vasco da Gama".
Esta novela se me hizo muy larga. Estaba deseando que se acabase.
September 18, 2019
Published in 1930, and chosen as one of eight Newbery Honor Books in 1931 - other titles to be so distinguished include
Floating Island
,
The Dark Star of Itza
,
Queer Person
,
Mountains Are Free
,
Meggy MacIntosh
,
Garram the Hunter
, and
Ood-Le-Uk the Wanderer
- this tale of the dawn of the spice trade between western Europe and the (east) Indies is set in Portugal, and features many of the famed explorers - Bartholomew Diaz, Vasco de Gama, and the fiery-eyed young Ferdinand Magellan - of that country as characters. Woven in with the narrative of their true-life voyages of exploration are the stories of fictional figures, from Nicolo Conti, a descendant of the Venetian explorer Niccolò de' Conti, who comes to Lisbon to throw his lot in with the Portuguese, and become a ship-builder, to the beautiful Nejmi, half-Portuguese and half-Arab, whose presence in the circle of sea-voyaging enthusiasts and explorers is unexpectedly beneficial, in that she brings important information about the famed "devil's cave," and the sea-route along the east coast of Africa. Tying them all together is the brilliantly realized character of Abel Zakuto, a Jewish sea enthusiast, inventor, and banker, whose workshop in the hills above Lisbon serves as a meeting place in Spice and the Devil's Cave, and whose counsel and material assistance help all involved to realize their plans...
I had the distinct impression, going in, that Spice and the Devil's Cave would be another of those Newbery seafaring tales, akin in plot to titles like The Great Quest (1922 Honor Book), The Dark Frigate (1924 Medal Winner), The Voyagers: Being Legends and Romances of Atlantic Discovery (1926 Honor Book), and Clearing Weather (1929 Honor Book) - but instead discovered that the majority of the story, save for a few pivotal scenes at the end, was centered on land-bound activities within Portugal. Still, thematically it is linked to these other stories of seafaring and exploration, particularly Colum's The Voyagers , and provides a fascinating (although not entirely unbiased) picture of Portugal's efforts to secure a direct sea trade with India, and her conflict, in this issue, with Venice. I found it ironic that Agnes Danforth Hewes so vividly depicted the cruelty of Arab traders - who murder Nejmi's family, because they are determined to prevent Europeans from trading with India, rather than using them as middlemen - when Vasco de Gama, who is very fond of the half-Arab Nejmi in the novel, is famed in real life for his own cruelty to Arabs and Muslims, particularly his massacre of an entire shipload of pilgrims (men, women and children) at Madayi. Hewes' rather unquestioning acceptance of the "nobility" of the European explorers here - she also displays some disturbingly racialist thinking, in her description of Nejmi's slavery, as the "only white thing among those naked, black cattle with their big, white teeth and lips" - stands in stark contrast to her surprising lack of antisemitism, and her sympathy for Abel and Ruth Zakuto, and historically accurate depiction of the important and beneficial role played by Europe's Jewish communities, in the development of all areas of culture, learning and economy, on that continent. This latter is particularly noteworthy when one considers the date of publication of Spice and the Devil's Cave (1930), so soon before the implementation of the Nazi Final Solution, made possible by (among other things) propaganda with the exact opposite message!
A mixed bag, altogether, with both problematic and admirable qualities, Spice and the Devil's Cave is, judged on story alone, a moderately engaging tale. Certainly no forgotten masterpiece, it is also nowhere near the nadir (insofar as I have thus far read) of the Newbery corpus, and is worth seeking out (provided one bears in mind its anachronistic content), for those readers interested in stories of adventure and exploration.
ETA: Although I often forget to discuss the accompanying illustrations in these older Newbery titles, I should mention here that I enjoyed Caldecott Medal-winning artist Lynd Ward's work here. I thought his engraving-style depictions of the characters, found at each chapter-heading, were lovely - dark, somewhat mysterious, and well suited to the story.
I had the distinct impression, going in, that Spice and the Devil's Cave would be another of those Newbery seafaring tales, akin in plot to titles like The Great Quest (1922 Honor Book), The Dark Frigate (1924 Medal Winner), The Voyagers: Being Legends and Romances of Atlantic Discovery (1926 Honor Book), and Clearing Weather (1929 Honor Book) - but instead discovered that the majority of the story, save for a few pivotal scenes at the end, was centered on land-bound activities within Portugal. Still, thematically it is linked to these other stories of seafaring and exploration, particularly Colum's The Voyagers , and provides a fascinating (although not entirely unbiased) picture of Portugal's efforts to secure a direct sea trade with India, and her conflict, in this issue, with Venice. I found it ironic that Agnes Danforth Hewes so vividly depicted the cruelty of Arab traders - who murder Nejmi's family, because they are determined to prevent Europeans from trading with India, rather than using them as middlemen - when Vasco de Gama, who is very fond of the half-Arab Nejmi in the novel, is famed in real life for his own cruelty to Arabs and Muslims, particularly his massacre of an entire shipload of pilgrims (men, women and children) at Madayi. Hewes' rather unquestioning acceptance of the "nobility" of the European explorers here - she also displays some disturbingly racialist thinking, in her description of Nejmi's slavery, as the "only white thing among those naked, black cattle with their big, white teeth and lips" - stands in stark contrast to her surprising lack of antisemitism, and her sympathy for Abel and Ruth Zakuto, and historically accurate depiction of the important and beneficial role played by Europe's Jewish communities, in the development of all areas of culture, learning and economy, on that continent. This latter is particularly noteworthy when one considers the date of publication of Spice and the Devil's Cave (1930), so soon before the implementation of the Nazi Final Solution, made possible by (among other things) propaganda with the exact opposite message!
A mixed bag, altogether, with both problematic and admirable qualities, Spice and the Devil's Cave is, judged on story alone, a moderately engaging tale. Certainly no forgotten masterpiece, it is also nowhere near the nadir (insofar as I have thus far read) of the Newbery corpus, and is worth seeking out (provided one bears in mind its anachronistic content), for those readers interested in stories of adventure and exploration.
ETA: Although I often forget to discuss the accompanying illustrations in these older Newbery titles, I should mention here that I enjoyed Caldecott Medal-winning artist Lynd Ward's work here. I thought his engraving-style depictions of the characters, found at each chapter-heading, were lovely - dark, somewhat mysterious, and well suited to the story.
August 15, 2019
From my Newbery collection, 3.5-4 stars. OK, being a trained historian, historical fiction involving real, famous characters can drive me nuts, as so much is literally made up about what they thing, feel, and do. Sometimes this is done expertly, sometimes not. I don't have enough training in this particular society and event to know how authentic the atmosphere Hewes created is or is not.
Additionally, this book for young people, published in 1930, has quite a bit of the "quaint" feeling of young adult books from that time frame. And yet, I still enjoyed reading it. Young me would have loved this tale's adventure and romance.
This is a historical novel about the Portugese push to find a sea route to India around the Cape of Good Hope and Vasco da Gama's accomplishment. Rather than following da Gama's voyage, though, the story is rooted in Lisbon, and so we get several other considerations woven into this key time frame for European navigation: Jewish difficulties, royal/diplomatic intrigue, pirate attacks, and more. Adult me enjoyed musing how this all comes together and interplays with the bare facts of maritime discoveries in the late 1400s.
While this historical fiction novel is subject to the author's understanding or impression of the late 15th century Portugese society and international trade circumstances, it does give the reader a much more personable and readable feel of the moment in history when Europeans first sailed around the Cape (or The Devil's Cave), all the way to India and back again. Portugal produced many great explorers during that time period, and this story prompts ideas on why that was possible. We get to see the value of the homeland gathering of adventurers and supportive figures (such as someone who created better navigational tools) that facilitated the spurt of exploration with royal support.
This novel's scope is limited, though, to the very early days of da Gama's success and to Portugal's role. While the story intermingles with other famous explorers, like Ferdinand Magellan and Barolomue Diaz (and mentions Columbus), we don't get any sense of the fact that Magellan will abandon Portugal to find support for exploration from Spain.
Additionally, this book for young people, published in 1930, has quite a bit of the "quaint" feeling of young adult books from that time frame. And yet, I still enjoyed reading it. Young me would have loved this tale's adventure and romance.
This is a historical novel about the Portugese push to find a sea route to India around the Cape of Good Hope and Vasco da Gama's accomplishment. Rather than following da Gama's voyage, though, the story is rooted in Lisbon, and so we get several other considerations woven into this key time frame for European navigation: Jewish difficulties, royal/diplomatic intrigue, pirate attacks, and more. Adult me enjoyed musing how this all comes together and interplays with the bare facts of maritime discoveries in the late 1400s.
While this historical fiction novel is subject to the author's understanding or impression of the late 15th century Portugese society and international trade circumstances, it does give the reader a much more personable and readable feel of the moment in history when Europeans first sailed around the Cape (or The Devil's Cave), all the way to India and back again. Portugal produced many great explorers during that time period, and this story prompts ideas on why that was possible. We get to see the value of the homeland gathering of adventurers and supportive figures (such as someone who created better navigational tools) that facilitated the spurt of exploration with royal support.
This novel's scope is limited, though, to the very early days of da Gama's success and to Portugal's role. While the story intermingles with other famous explorers, like Ferdinand Magellan and Barolomue Diaz (and mentions Columbus), we don't get any sense of the fact that Magellan will abandon Portugal to find support for exploration from Spain.
July 29, 2021
As far as the old Newbery books go, this wasn't the worst. If it had been about 100 pages shorter I would've probably given it 3-stars. I just felt like I was reading this book for years and that it would never end.
The story takes us way back in time to Portugal - a country on the brink of a great discovery. The goal for Europe is to find a sea route to gather spices and Vasco de Gama is the man for the job. It was fun how the author incorporated the famous explorers into her story.
Abel is a Jew (through his character we learn how the Jewish people were treated at the time period) who loves ships and exploring. He intimately knows many of the famous explorers of the day. The story partly revolves around a mysterious young Arab women that appears at his house, Nejmi, an unfortunate young woman who narrowly escaped being sold into slavery. She brings some interesting information from her forced voyage. Nicolo is another main character. He's a Venetian shipbuilder. While de Gama is on his famed voyage, intrigue abounds at home and it's up to our characters to keep precious maps, and therefore, de Gama's life, safe and secure.
There were some fun parts in this book, but there were also really long drawn-out boring parts. There were also some racist comments, especially at the depicted slave auction. These types of comments are typical of these older Newbery books. Personally, I think if they are ever republished (most aren't because they do not age well) those lines should be edited. It could easily be done without affecting the story.
Newbery Honor 1931
The story takes us way back in time to Portugal - a country on the brink of a great discovery. The goal for Europe is to find a sea route to gather spices and Vasco de Gama is the man for the job. It was fun how the author incorporated the famous explorers into her story.
Abel is a Jew (through his character we learn how the Jewish people were treated at the time period) who loves ships and exploring. He intimately knows many of the famous explorers of the day. The story partly revolves around a mysterious young Arab women that appears at his house, Nejmi, an unfortunate young woman who narrowly escaped being sold into slavery. She brings some interesting information from her forced voyage. Nicolo is another main character. He's a Venetian shipbuilder. While de Gama is on his famed voyage, intrigue abounds at home and it's up to our characters to keep precious maps, and therefore, de Gama's life, safe and secure.
There were some fun parts in this book, but there were also really long drawn-out boring parts. There were also some racist comments, especially at the depicted slave auction. These types of comments are typical of these older Newbery books. Personally, I think if they are ever republished (most aren't because they do not age well) those lines should be edited. It could easily be done without affecting the story.
Newbery Honor 1931
November 7, 2021
So many books from this time period on the Newbery list are a hard slog but this one moved right along. And showed tolerance of the Muslim and Jewish characters when they were heroic. The villains… not so much.
April 7, 2018
Historical novel set during Portugal's opening of the spice trade around the cape of Africa. While it has some historical figures as characters much of the story focuses on imaginary characters that move the plot. Chief among them is a Jewish banker Abel Zakuto and his wife Ruth; their presence permits the author to introduce the plight of the Jews in the 15th and 16th c. Abel is a banker by profession but a dreamer by nature who is fascinated by the sea. He's the center of the novel, known by historical and imaginary figures alike. He's an associate of the king, the page Magellan, and the sailor Vasco da Gama. There's also a trader from Venice, a well-travelled seaman, and an Arab girl to flesh out the story while Da Gama sails. I read this for my 2018 Reading Challenge and Newbery Challenge (Honor 1931).
September 24, 2020
An interesting enough read, detailing the race to secure the spice trade between Portugal, Venice and the "Arab pirates". The plans and preparations to accomplish such a feat take place in a small workshop owned by Abel Zacuto, a banker and creator of navigation equipment and maps. I liked how Ferdinand Magellan, Vasco de Gama, and Bartholomew Diaz all played roles in this one, sometimes relating to the Columbus' successes.
September 30, 2014
This was actually a very fun book to read. It is historical fiction about the first successful voyage around the Cape of Good Hope (a.k.a. the Devil's Cave) to India. We read about Ferdinand Magellan, Bartholemew Diaz, Vasco Da Gama, and other historical figures of that time period in Portugal. It was also exciting to read and had suspense and adventure.
August 5, 2015
All I seem to be reading these days are books about the sea. But this was a Newbery honor so I read it and I really enjoyed it, it wasn't too technical, it had the adventure and a dash of romance. It was fun to read, I really enjoyed it.
April 20, 2022
The history in this book is so expository. I got lost in ship and sailing terms, so I think it's fair to say most kids would skim a lot of this book. Otherwise, there's a decent story, and I'm curious to know more about all of the explorers mentioned, and if they take all knew each other.
Want to read
June 12, 20251931 Newbery honor book
August 18, 2022
The story starts with Bartholomew Diaz, Vasco de Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan at Abel Zakuto's home, talking about exploration. A mysterious firm who doesn't speak shows up. Magellan meets Nicolo the next day. Nicolo meets Abel and reveals he wants to be a ship builder. Magellan starts to give the mysterious girl lessons. Scander tells everyone a gruesome story to discourage them from the spice trade. The story of the girl is told, and she tells them her name, Nejmi.
Gama is chosen to head the spice voyage, and Diaz tells Abel the news that Manoel's marriage to the Spanish Infanta requires all Jews to be exiled from Portugal. Nicolo shares too much about the expedition with a stranger, but learns the Pope has issued a decree that Jews be allowed to stay in Portugal for twenty years. Gama leaves with his three ships.
Two years pass without Gama returning. Magellan and Nicolo seem to vie for Nejmi's affection. Some Venetians want to steal Abel's maps. Nejmi confesses her love to Nicolo. Pirates plan to intercept Gama before he returns to Portugal. Abdul and Marco abduct Nejmi. Scander and Nicolo go to help Gama, but Rodriguez tells them Gama is safe. Scander and Nicolo rescue Nejmi. Gama comes back with two of his three ships. Nicolo and Nejmi get married, and Abel and Ruth leave Portugal.
I enjoyed parts of this book, like the historical figures and the adventure. However, I felt the romance was too gooey, and there were times where I didn't enjoy the writing. The way some of the characters talked about "the Way" seemed a little obsessive to me.
Gama is chosen to head the spice voyage, and Diaz tells Abel the news that Manoel's marriage to the Spanish Infanta requires all Jews to be exiled from Portugal. Nicolo shares too much about the expedition with a stranger, but learns the Pope has issued a decree that Jews be allowed to stay in Portugal for twenty years. Gama leaves with his three ships.
Two years pass without Gama returning. Magellan and Nicolo seem to vie for Nejmi's affection. Some Venetians want to steal Abel's maps. Nejmi confesses her love to Nicolo. Pirates plan to intercept Gama before he returns to Portugal. Abdul and Marco abduct Nejmi. Scander and Nicolo go to help Gama, but Rodriguez tells them Gama is safe. Scander and Nicolo rescue Nejmi. Gama comes back with two of his three ships. Nicolo and Nejmi get married, and Abel and Ruth leave Portugal.
I enjoyed parts of this book, like the historical figures and the adventure. However, I felt the romance was too gooey, and there were times where I didn't enjoy the writing. The way some of the characters talked about "the Way" seemed a little obsessive to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2010
Good and enjoyable reading to learn a bit of trading history with Lisbon and Venice in 15th century.
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October 22, 2014d5406c27-1cbc-4dbc-8efa-d5251f9c9ce6
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October 22, 2014cac6ee51-4dae-4137-940f-b97c906b3252
January 25, 2016
Lovely - deceptively simple narrative, the his(story) comes alive! Bravo.
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