The Violent Land is a short novel following two families, the Badarós and the Silveiras, and their dispute over land to grow cacao. The main concern that is continually revisited throughout the story is the effect of cacao plantations on the local citizens and their communities. Wars are fought over the lands that are replanted with cacao, equivalent to gold for many. Many characters and men fall into a tragic tale of betrayal, struggle, romance, and adventure.

Margot is a blonde prostitute who seeks love and finances Virgilio. Cabral is an unscrupulous lawyer who works for a cacao colonel. Juca is ruthless in his mission to reap the rewards of the jungle. Horacio is also ruthless but unquestionably committed to his wife, Ester. Ester has an affair with Virgilio, which is not revealed until after her death. The Badaró brothers use sly tactics as they vie for the same lands as Horacio. The complexity of characters and interwoven stories give meaning to the "violent land" status that the soils of Bahia have achieved. The plot is a series of revenge and murder story lines, and the great feud ends with the final murder of Virgilio at the hands of Horacio. The new government begins with a symbolic gesture from the Church, as they make the city the new seat of the diocese. Thus, a bishop officiates as a representative.