Bom-Crioulo

About “Bom-Crioulo”

Bom-Crioulo: The Black Man and the Cabin Boy is a novel by Brazilian writer Adolfo Caminha, first published in 1895. It was the first major literary work in Brazil to address homosexuality and feature a black protagonist. An English translation by E.A. Lacey was published in 1982. The novel generated controversy when it was first released but fell out of public awareness in the early 20th century. It was republished multiple times in Brazil and translated into several languages during the second half of the 20th century. While some see it as a step toward social progress, others interpret its message as propaganda, conveying the idea that black people and homosexuals have no place outside of the ghetto or death.