Gustavo Scarpa's book recommendation tops Amazon sales in Brazil

Lev Tolstói’s classic novel, ‘A Morte de Ivan Ilitch’ (The Death of Ivan Ilyich), has become the top-selling book on Amazon in Brazil following a recommendation by professional footballer Gustavo Scarpa.

Scarpa, a midfielder for Atlético-MG, shared a 10-minute review of the 1886 Russian literary classic on his YouTube channel, ‘Canal do Scarpinha’. The video has garnered over 565,000 views, triggering a significant surge in search interest and sales. The movement has also inspired the creation of ‘Galeitura’, a book club involving Atlético-MG players and fans, which selected the Tolstói work as its inaugural reading.

The novel explores the final days of a successful judge who confronts the emptiness of his existence while facing a terminal illness. Scarpa’s influence has extended to his teammates, including Argentine striker Cuello, further integrating the literary interest into the football club's culture.