Maria Bonita is a romance novel, one of a trilogy, based on the story of Maria,[1] the wife of João Lopes da Costa Pinho. João Lopes da Costa Pinho emigrated to Brazil from Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal.[2] Some say he arrived barefoot but he went on to be immensely wealthy, owning some 32 cattle and cocoa farms in the state of Bahia, northeast Brazil. The marriage did not last but in their time together they became friends with the author Afrânio Peixoto and their colourful lives inspired this 1914 novel which caused a storm.[3]

Maria Bonita
AuthorAfrânio Peixoto
LanguagePortuguese
GenreRomance novel
Publication date
1914
Publication placeBrazil

In 1937 the book was turned into a film directed by Julien Mandel. Peixoto wrote the screenplay.[4]

Sources

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  1. ^ Historical Dictionary of Latin American Literature and Theater by Richard Young, Odile Cisneros
  2. ^ Information about the novel
  3. ^ História da literatura brasileira: Realismo e simbolismo by Massaud Moisés
  4. ^ Maria Bonita at Internet Movie Database