Cafe Con Aroma De Mujer

by Fernando Gaitán

La historia original de la telenovela inolvidable. Sebastián y Gaviota se dieron cuenta de una amor verdadero en un largo viaje. Un amor así merece ser contado.

Genres: Romance

267 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1995

Reviews

[Blanca Ruiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

El autor colombiano Fernando Gaitan, escribio esta propuesta de 80 paginas ahora publicada como libro para la cadena de television RCN. Una vez aprovada entro en producción con actores principales Guy Ecker y Margarita Rosa de Francisco. "Cafe con Aroma de Mujer" se televiso en Colombia en 1994 con 169 episodios y resulto ser un gran exito. Mas tarde se televiso en otros paises y paso a ser un super exito internacional. En el 2001 y 2007 se hicieron otras dos producciones en Mexico basadas en la misma historia. Al igual que la primera Las dos tuvieron gran exito.
Para mi fue muy interesante leer con detalle este libro que es la propuesta original de Fernando Gaitan para la televisora. Tenia curiosidad por ver como este gran autor en 80 paginas describe por primera vez el bosquejo de esta gran historia que nacio de su imaginación. Curiosidad de ver como nacio este gran exito internacional! En mi opinion lo que hace interesante esta historia es que es un romance bonito, bien pensado que se desenvuelve entorno al mundo del cafe colombiano, tocando todo lo que se refiere al cafe, las plantaciones, la recolección, el proceso, la venta, la federación, el negocio de exportación y el mercado mundial. Todo muy interesante.
Cuando leas el libro ten en mente que este no es una obra literaria completamente desarrollada, sino una propuesta, una idea para los ejecutivos de la television colombiana. Si te gusta, te recomiendo que despues veas la telenovela original de 169 episodios. Creada tambien por Fernando Gaitan.

[Dana Al-Basha | دانة الباشا]

Café con aroma de mujer came to screen when I was young (almost 8 o 10) and every woman was watching it, it was romantic, dramatic and steamy... I LOVED Gaviota... I loved her voice and song, I named my guitar Gaviota, and I know the words of the lyrics by memory not because I speak the language... I wish such books and shows are available in different languages. Such a beautiful story and Margarita Rosa de Francisco is gorgeous!

[Miguel Esses · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Café con Aroma de Mujer" es en esencia el argumento que presentó Fernando Gaitán a los ejecutivos de televisión colombianos que hicieron la telenovela de ese nombre.

La idea en general de la historia es buena: una historia de amor enmarcada en el mundo del café colombiano. El único problema es que Gaitán no pudo ocultar el objetivo de su argumento: hacer una telenovela.

El libro podría haber sido mucho mejor si Gaitán hubiera buscado hacer una obra literaria como tal. Pero bueno, creo que al final es mucho más práctico que ver la telenovela entera.

[Desertisland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The following comments originally appeared as Borrower review on LAPL catalog, but has since vanished from there, perhaps because such reviews have limited lifespan. Those who wish to keep or share such reviews with others might print out or otherwise save copies for future reference.

More remarks about the completed 1993 telenovela may eventually re-appear as blog posts about related TV novelas and films that seem to have inspired them--in the case of CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER, the 1941 film classic CASABLANCA, set largely in Rick's CAFE--not just coincidence important location in CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER is Hacienda Casablanca...

Disney's ENCANTO also seems to have a number of allusions to CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER--to be specified later on blog--and not just in Bruno's "free entertainment" imaginary telenovela. Might just be coincidence that name of Vallejo matriarch Cecilia shares name with minor character in ENCANTO. On the other hand, both Cecilias do seem to have same unusual hair color....

See also GoodReads review of novel ENCHANTED HACIENDA; to find specific one indicated, "search review text" for word PARIENTES, refering to 2021 telenovela currently streaming on Spectrum, another example of intertextual inspiration.

Intended more as "preview of coming attractions" than SPOILERS, the following is meant to interest readers in making the effort to watch story that runs over 140 episodes. Second part of EH review that had been on LAPL was meant as crash course on telenovela viewing, a genre very different from USA soap operas they are confused with by those who have done little research.

Book is basically story proposal created before script for 1994 telenovela was actually written. Like 1998 LA MENTIRA (with same lead actor), protagonists of original version of CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER symbolize fertility of the earth, rebirth & renewal of their community. Male half of couple in fact likens himself and his love to Adam in Garden of Eden, who didn't know he was lonely until he meets Eve. Rewatching first 2 chapters recently, Sebastian calls coffee plantation "paradise".

But there are many serpents who keep separating the two destined for each other, until both gain maturity and wisdom to unite against world, she eventually rising from coffee bean picker to become highly respected authority on all aspects of coffee industry & international diplomat. Only after he loses all (therefore invalidating accusation of marrying for money), will she accept him. Triumph of worker over capitalist may be one reason telenovela story was very popular in Cuba.

As in a folk tale or Shakespeare play, patriarch announces his coffee kingdom will go to children of his young male descendants who prove worthy of taking care of it. However, young Sebastian--one of three pretenders to the throne--is literally impotent (his little problem hinted at by Anthurium flowers seen everywhere). Another male cousin is closeted homosexual who has long-time male partner. So assumed heir is arrogant, imperious Ivan, an egocentric womanizer.

Like a fairy tale prince under a curse, Sebastian has fruitlessly consulted wise men around the world, but found no cure--until he meets humble migrant harvester nicknamed Gaviota after her favorite song about far-flying seagull. Boundless ocean represents immense love between blue-eyed girl and awakened prince; they even go scuba diving together in fecund underwater garden. Gaviota gains allies with names beginning with "Mar" (Spanish for "sea"), Martha, Margarita, Marlon, Mauro etc. and helps other women by her feminist consolidarity in workplace.

Water metaphor continues as indicator of depth of affection: Ivan's is only size of bathtub or swimming pools he dips into with his flings. Shower, spray bottle & dirty puddle are even more shallow. Cheating wife reclining on sandy beach doesn't even get wet when her gigolo lover arrives on Jet ski. Man in loveless marriage with frigid wife routinely pours himself drink with ice cubes on entering their apartment; on wedding day he says only way he can go thru with ceremony is to get drunk--hold the ice.

Sebastian specifically says his element is fire, he walks among fireworks, near bonfire, is called pyromaniac. Favorite drink of young lovers is "aguardiente" (fire water) "un sencillo con cara de double" (two shots served in one glass; figuratively means one person with two faces or a single being made of two). When each suspects wrongly the other is part of love triangle, they both order same "con cara de TRIPLE") Final image of story shows two walking together while closely embracing as if only one person, like biblical "two shall become one", surrounded by greenery of their vast fertile domain.

In her upward journey, Gaviota develops three identities, personas with different names, seemingly reflection of her mother constantly blessing her "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (latter represented by a dove).

Carmenza, Gaviota's humble mother, practically has a doctorate in telenovela viewing, citing incidents that apply to "real life" situations. In this series, characters' private lives repeatedly burst out into publically performed dramas with avid audience watching & listening in restaurant, or in one memorable scene evoking Elizabethan Globe theater, office workers looking down from balconies of surrounding buildings. And then there's climactic arena bull fight after pursuit thru crowded streets!

Student Sebastian shares traits with Shakespeare's Hamlet; he's "haunted" by ghost of his grandfather, and tells woman psychologist that one of his problems is being indecisive (remember "To be--or not to be"?) Depictions of Saint he's named after also evokes image of "the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune". First time for either of lovers results in pregnancy, but he doesn't know of this until after baby dies before birth. Don't worry, eventually there's fruitful family happy ending.

Story is sweet and funny as well as weepy, tho lovely scenes can also cause tears to flow. Songs performed by leading lady (released as two soundtrack albums) and classic records heard by characters (on jukebox & vinyl) are wonderful too.

Hope that one day there may be book(s) about such classic telenovelas (perhaps by their creators), leading to greater appreciation of genre, the aim of book on another genre, A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ROMANCE NOVEL by Pamela Regis.

Like romance novels, telenovelas are extremely popular, yet apparently little studied, much misunderstood, and often confused with USA-made soap operas, judging by recent best-seller fiction by writers passing as authorities who may have only casually watched a few. On Demand access to some classics via streaming services such as VIX or ROKU may help rectify this lack of knowledge and respect.

[LibraryBookGroup · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2021 Disney's animated movie ENCANTO, blonde mop of curls of female character in Bruno's imagined telenovela could be nod to heroine Gaviota in original (1994) version of CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER currently streaming on demand for free on https://www.nbc.com/cafe-con-aroma-de...

If you are not familiar with both already, watch ENCANTO & compare with early HARRY POTTER movies. Allegedly about Colombian culture, ENCANTO really seems like HP with more color. For specific likenesses, see post on blog Pensando en Parientes.

The "galan" (romantic leading man) in CAFE declares his element is fire. Costume in Bruno's toy puppet theater also seems to be incorporating CAFE's extended metaphors of fire/red, water/blue tied to tri-color of Colombia's yellow, blue & red flag & blue-eyed Gaviota's faded flowered blouse.

In telenovela, this is also symbolically reflected in lovers' favorite tipple aguardiente (literally "Fire water" & idiomatic expression about how emotions are like boiling water "como agua para chocolate" or making coffee.

In case modern readers lack literary knowledge, a good memory & perceptive abilities, both ENCANTO & CAFE incorporate magical realism twists on acclaimed Colombian novel ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, only in telenovela (spoiler alert--tho not so very, as is tactfully implied in his very first appearance on screen in first episode), the alleged impotence of leading man character is actually true--until this male Sleeping Beauty meets our heroine.

Same writer also created UGLY BETTY, novela inspired by another fairy tale, THE UGLY DUCKLING. Red herring "clues" mislead viewers to think Gaviota might be her lover's aunt. (Aren't you glad to know the truth, to avoid worry there might not be happy ending to their romance?)

CAFE's humbly born heroine who no longer believes in Cinderella stories of waiting around until a Prince comes to save her, uses her own brains, courage & hard work to rise from being migrant harvester to highly respected delegate at international coffee conference in London.

Gaviota, nicknamed for her favorite song about high flying seagull, dreams of how much better world would be if women ran it. CAFE's romantic couple liken themselves to Adam & Eve, only in their brave new world, or Paradise Regained, women do important work including journalist, heart surgeon, psychologist & judge. Production staff of CAFE included many women to create hit series with feminist theme.

Another fairy tale is mentioned by slimy gigolo leech character who claims aristocratic ancestry & asks wealthy young woman to kiss him before he turns into a frog. He gets his just "reward" when after he deserts his now-penniless lover he sponged off of & their child, he attempts to pick up another woman--herself trying to find rich man to support her in the style she thinks she is entitled to.

Their "love" is as ephemeral as weak steam from their shared teapot, one of very creative visual metaphors to illustrate strength of relationships between couples throughout the novela, from ice cubes symbolizing a loveless marriage, to vast ocean of true love in which galan Sebastian & blue-eyed Gaviota literally go scuba diving together.

3 forms of water--solid, liquid & gas--parallel the repeated religious symbolism of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit in the blessing that Gaviota's mother frequently gives her daughter who incorporates 3 identities, being 3 persons in one. In epilogue "7 years later" (another spoiler OR insightful revelation), she gives birth to 3 girls who embody their mother's 3 personas--and 4th child is blond baby Sebastian Junior, who mimics daughter of Arthur & Paula, imitating the sipping & spitting of their professional coffee-taster parents--tho romantic hero is never seen to spit ("Never let them see you sweat", er, spit.)

ENCANTO touches on 3 life stages of caterpillar, chrysalis & butterfly, tho as far as I can recall, only latter form may appear in ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE (unless that's what an unusual description of fingers & shirt made of silk is refering to). But ENCANTO does quote line spoken by Ron Weasley in film HARRY POTTER & THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS, "follow the butterfly".

I also advise any readers intrigued by this review to read other Good Reads reviews in English for books turned into beloved telenovelas classics, such as LA MENTIRA and CORAZON SALVAJE--both novels by 20th century Cuban writer Caridad Bravo Adams which it increasingly appears that 21st century book writers are mining for their own recent novels in English (see also books tagged "telenovelas" sometimes used to indicate this practice).

In Carley Fortune's MEET ME AT THE LAKE & 2024 THIS SUMMER WILL BE DIFFERENT (see my review of her ONE GOLDEN SUMMER) are some likenesses to 1994 CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER, now streaming gratis on https://www.nbc.com/cafe-con-aroma-de... All songs on 1994 CAFE's two soundtrack albums--which were written especially for the telenovela & sung by female star--can be heard for free on https://www.letras.com/margarita-rosa... and https://www.letras.com/margarita-rosa...

I just found out that soundtrack albums for both 1993 CORAZON SALVAJE & 1994 CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER are available to listen to via FREEGAL e-media from https://lapl.org/books-emedia/e-media So check if you may be able to access from your library. If not, try Letras.com Or you tube may still have some of 17 tracks for CS--all but two are instrumentals without lyrics.

(An aside about 1993 CORAZON SALVAJE currently streaming on Vix: There's sweet performance video on Letras of love song MIRAME A LOS OJOS sung by Edith Gonzales, actress who portrayed Monica. By the way, opening credits for CORAZON SALVAJE on Vix are different from the original broadcast version, which I much prefer for its fascinating, hauntingly dream-like quality. Try searching phrases or keywords like "1993 Corazon Salvaje entrada" or "musica".)

As remarked in blog linked to Good Read friend "Desertisland", Vix & NBC edited out favorite moments, such as in (I think) Episode 3, sequence in cantina with Gaviota's first dance with Sebastian & her singing "Sin testigos" ("Without witnesses" or "watchers", helping to carry out CAFE's "All the world's a stage" theme--so it's not a random, meaningless disposable tune). Sadly, scene was cut out of streaming versions of CAFE, apparently to make room for long commercial breaks.

If enough viewers demand complete, intact, original version--every moment is valuable & enjoyable, IMO (and maybe also request captioning in English for those learning Spanish), then we won't need to hunt for fan-made videos to supply what we want to watch. Ojala! (Spanish word meaning "God willing" or "hopefully".)

1998 version of LA MENTIRA (like 1994 CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER) is rich with extended metaphors & visual symbolism--for example in opening credits, blue signaling Virginia's mentiras (related to English "mendacious"), shown among other references to water, a clue given when weeping Veronica tells sympathetic Aunt Leti that her hateful cousin secretly works "siempre debajo del agua", spoiling Vero's extreme happiness about becoming betrothed to man she deeply loves.

Life-bringing Demetrio & Vero at their Hacienda La Flor are represented by flowers (on wrought iron fence painted blue behind couple in publicity poster for LM), healthy growing green plants & enlightening bright YELLOW SUN, and ultimately new life in their child & united "re-born" community of Pueblo Alegre.

In contrast, the death-causing Virginia & Santiago hiding their fechorias (misdeeds, crimes) are represented by lifeless stones, metal, obscuring smoke, pollution of city. For more explanations that can greatly increase your enjoyment when rewatching both classic telenovelas, please see https://www.goodreads.com/review/list... and blog linked to Desertisland account.

Another example of how often overlooked details can be very important in telenovelas: Song that seems written especially for LA MENTIRA is titled SENTIR FELICIDAD (es algo natural) & listed on LM ending credits as by Rodrigo Escamilla. As far as I can find out, upbeat song was never released as a separate recording.

I'd like to find complete lyrics to SENTIR FELICIDAD as song appears to give insight into message of telenovela, playing in background during party to welcome Juan back home to Mexico, about 27 minutes into Episode 5--just before the fateful meeting of the protagonist lovers. But because spoken dialogue overlaps some of the lyrics, I can't decipher all the words not included in subtitles.

Meaning of song seems to also tie-in with important scene about 34 minutes into Episode 22 at Hacienda La Flor when Demetrio tells Veronica about how he lost his parents at young age--including both his biological mother & father, then step-father--and later, his only sibling, half-brother Ricardo, whom he helped raise as a surrogate parent, but the younger man died after being betrayed by someone he loved at the beginning of story (stealing his hard-earned life savings & inheritance, leaving him deeply in debt, everything already mortgaged to the max), as well causing death of an unborn child.

This tragedy shaped Demetrio's belief stated in Ep. 22 that "yo creo que en este mundo, nadie realmente es feliz." Orphaned & abandoned Veronica replies, "Pues yo si, fijate. En mi mundo si! Yo si soy realmente feliz. ....Y aunque perdio a mis papas cuando estaba muy nina, siempre quise ser feliz y lo logre! Y tengo muchas cosas que agradecerle a Dios, fijate! Tengo mucho raisones!"

(A far cry from all too common usage of contemporary grumpy/sunshine trope employing "causes" or "reasons" for characters' personalities & behavior, that--if any background or motivation is delved into at all-- seem laughably shallow, lacking resilience, weak & even wimpy in comparison. Like, "You call THAT a problem??")

One real-life example of what I find far more interesting & inspiring than much recent fiction is response of the community of Pacific Palisades after the January 2025 wildfires. June 4th high school graduation ceremony included recorded message by Governor of California Gavin Newsom, who joyfully praised the resilience of the students, their families & school staff.

Among other speakers at commencement ceremony were those who lost their homes in the fires: actor BILLY CRYSTAL, the 9 times NBA Champion Steve Kerr, and Student Body President Charlie Speiser, of whom school's principal said was "mature beyond his years".

P.S.
As with 1998 LA MENTIRA, 1994 CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER illustrates Shakespeare quote "All the world's a stage". Besides applying to "meta" fictional works, in real life the parents of Cuban author Adams were both actors. Eventually realized that emphasis on square window framing was subtle wink at similar shape of a TV or motion picture screen, or strip of film stills.

On topic of films: bilingual 2024 mini-series Y LLEGARON DE NOCHE based on real Hollywood history of nearly 100 years ago is also streaming on demand https://vix.com/es-es/detail/series-5076

Because almost half the population of Los Angeles is Hispanic, Los Angeles Times has online edition in Spanish which had video report on series premiere in Beverly Hills in which guests
commented on importance of immigrants, Latino representation on screen, & that USA should be (at least) bilingual (See book on the many benefits of bilingualism cited below--including ways this improves your brain).

Actor Daniel Raymont, who plays Hungarian immigrant Bela Lugosi (reason for his "heart" costume at premiere) has his own very dramatic multi-cultural family history. https://news.colby.edu/story/daniel-r...

Lesser known Disney movie THE LITTLEST OUTLAW (1955) also filmed same story in two languages for different markets--although with same bilingual cast, mostly famous Mexican actors of their homeland's Golden Age of film who spoke English with American accents.

Two more book recommendations: THE POWER OF LANGUAGE (2023) by Viorica Marian explains many benefits of being at least bilingual, including improving your brain. Fun & useful book BREAKING OUT OF BEGINNER'S SPANISH by Joseph Keenan also cites some great reasons, and author thanks his little daughter for reminding him that language learning is child's play.

(Did you know that GR reviews can be as long as 20,000 characters? Decided to utilize this option to
more easily store & share some of my notes.

Not sure if will get around to moving some bits to review of another title, so for now will add that song used for opening credits of LA MENTIRA is https://www.letras.com/vicente-fernan... in case you'd like to get general idea of rough translation in English. Singer chose song based on his memory of 1965 version of the story, which is almost half the length of 1998 expanded version. See Wikipedia to find out how important "Chente" is in musical world, if you didn't already know. Singer Alejandro Fernandez is one of his sons.

Still 5428 characters left!)

[Angeles · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me acabo de ahorrar ver una telenovela. Definitivamente fue una decisión mucho más práctica, pero como "obra literaria" no tiene ningún provecho. La protagonista es increíble, el protagonista celoso y un poco (bastante) machista. ¿Romántica? para una telenovela, sí, para mí... no. No me gustó el desenlace de la novela, el último arco narrativo me pareció estrepitoso, desordenado, sin fundamento al salir "airosos" del problema gigante que tenían encima, clásico de una telenovela.

Con respecto a la narración, evidentemente fue el borrador o "guía" para presentar la trama de toda la telenovela, pero de novela literaria no tiene mucho, por no decir casi nada. La historia por supuesto fue entretenida, pero no tuve placer en leerlo al ser escrito de manera tan simple, podría comprarlo con una historia de redit, en donde tienes toda la trama expuesta en modo resumen, sin diálogos ni una descripción narrativa completa de los hechos, personajes y paisajes.

[Lia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me cae mal Sebastián y no se merecía que Carolina regresara.

[Rooss_gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Al principio no entendía muy bien, pero luego es muy intrigante!