Amazon Adventure: A Teen’s Journey with the Indigenous
Summary
In this book, author Isabel Allende immerses us in an extraordinary adventure. The protagonist, Alexander, faces a challenging situation when his mother falls seriously ill and must recover in a Texas hospital with her husband. Consequently, Alexander embarks on a journey to the Amazon with his paternal grandmother. She is there to investigate a fearsome beast that has been the subject of local legends.
In the Amazon, Alexander encounters Nadia, a girl deeply connected to the jungle. They forge a profound friendship and embark on thrilling adventures together. These include encounters with the Indigenous people, the discovery of the mythical city of gold, a journey to the depths of Alexander’s inner self, and Nadia’s ascent to a wondrous spiritual plane.
Their most significant achievement is aiding in the liberation of the Indigenous people and preventing a devastating epidemic. Ultimately, though Jaguar (Alexander) and Eagle (Nadia) part ways, their hearts remain eternally connected.
Characters
Alexander Cold
Alexander Cold is a 15-year-old boy, not very tall, thin, with glasses and curly hair. He is quite shy and reserved, finding solace in playing the flute and rock climbing with his father. However, his deepest passion is the love he holds for his family, especially his mother.
He is a noble and naive individual, possessing remarkable strength and courage.
Nadia Santos
Nadia, the daughter of Cesar Santos, is a 12-year-old girl with tousled, sun-bleached curly hair, and honey-colored eyes and skin. She shares similar interests with Alexander’s sister, drawing constant comparisons. A keen observer and a loyal friend to Alexander, she is admired by all who encounter her unique spirit. She is an adventurous soul with an immeasurable love for her father.
Walimai
Walimai, the Shaman, appears to have lived for centuries. He is very small, with wrinkled skin, and adorned with charms, including boar tusks. He is regarded as a being of great importance, respect, and power in nature, capable of predicting the future. Walimai communicates only with Nadia, Alexander, the Indigenous people, and his wife, a spirit who is always with him but invisible to most.
Kate Cold
Kate is a 64-year-old woman, lean and muscular, with a steely gaze from her blue eyes. Her hair is gray, and her teeth are large and strong. She is a proud woman who struggles to express her true feelings towards her grandson and others around her.
Mauro Carias
Mauro Carias is a wealthy businessman. Many members of the expedition sense that he lacks empathy, carrying his heart in a suitcase, as it were. He attempts to portray himself as kind and good, but his true nature is revealed as the story progresses, exposing his ambition. Some are complicit with him, others doubt him, and Dr. Omayra Torres is attracted to him. He plays an antagonistic role, seeking to eliminate the Indigenous people to seize the Amazon’s wealth, particularly the gold.
Omayra Torres
Omayra Torres is a beautiful woman of mixed heritage, around 30 years old, with black hair, amber-colored skin, and hazel-green cat-like eyes. She moves with a dancer’s grace, captivating the attention of all the men. Despite her beauty, she is not vain and is uninterested in superficial appearances. She is pursued by all the men on the expedition, but her affections lie with Mauro Carias.