The Knight of Hope

The book expresses considerable support for Prestes's positions and indeed admiration for his person.

[1] However, one critic has argued that Amado’s estimate of the significance of Prestes is somewhat exaggerated, while admitting that the biography "is useful testimony to the relation between art and political life".

[2] Amado himself suffered censorship and political persecution under Brazil’s Estado Novo regime (1937-45).

He decided to write Prestes’ biography in 1941 to campaign for the release of the revolutionary leader, who was still in prison.

Throughout the biography Jorge Amado addresses an imaginary female reader, showing his intention to speak directly to the Brazilian people, encouraging them to support democracy and liberty.