Words and Stories. Palavras e Histórias.
To many of us, the name of H. C. Andersen evokes world-famous tales like The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid, The Brave Tin Soldier, The Wild Swans, The Little Match-Seller. But Andersen wrote a wealth of lesser-known stories that are just as full of beauty and meaning as his more celebrated tales. This is one … Continue lendo [Andersen’s lesser-known tales] In the Uttermost Parts of the Sea
This is not really a literary analysis. It's just a gush of enthusiasm for one of R. L. Stevenson's jewels — a two-word jewel that has been sitting under my nose for years, but which I only really saw this morning. In the silence of a countryside morning, a woodpecker is pecking away at one … Continue lendo [Literary analysis] A felicitous phrase
I'll start this with a disclaimer: I do not recommend the novel The Thorn Birds. It's too long; it's not properly researched as regards the Australian landscapes where it's set; and the worst, it's a schizophrenic story. The author apparently didn't make up her mind about whether she wanted to defend the thesis that "love … Continue lendo [Literary passage] Prayer from The Thorn Birds
Over 80 years ago, an American scholar and author called Henry Thomas wrote a whole book chapter of advice on how to be a good conversationalist. Mankind hasn't changed in these 80 years, and every word of Thomas' advice still holds true today. Not only that, but some of it is particularly suited to the … Continue lendo [Book excerpt] The Art of Conversation
I was scrolling down a streaming platform the other day when a film caught my eye. And it wasn't only because of Rebecca Ferguson's enchanting face — it was the title, which sounded extraordinarily poetic. Despite the Falling Snow. Granted, as a movie title this is maybe not very good. It leaves us confused about … Continue lendo [Poetry analysis] Despite the Falling Snow
It's fascinating to see two literary texts which, though written 180 years apart, match as perfectly as if one author had meant to answer the other. The first text is a prose passage from the novella René, by French writer François-René de Chateaubriand (1768-1848). The second is a short poem by the German philosopher Frithjof … Continue lendo [Translated poetry analysis] Disquiet and stillness
Recentemente, traduzi este curto poema recitado por Meryl Streep numa cena do filme Entre Dois Amores. Seu autor foi o acadêmico e poeta inglês Alfred Edward Housman (1859 - 1936). Na tradução para o português não foi possível manter o número original de seis sílabas em cada verso. Porque as palavras portuguesas tendem a ser … Continue lendo [Poesia inglesa traduzida] Um poema de A. E. Housman
Eis minha tradução de um poema da famosa poetisa inglesa Christina Rossetti (1830 - 1894). Ela foi uma autora prolífica, tendo escrito centenas de poemas sobre temas românticos e religiosos, bem como alguns contos e artigos. O pai de Christina era italiano, daí seu sobrenome. Ao traduzir este poema, minha prioridade foi manter o número … Continue lendo [Poesia inglesa traduzida] “Nalgum Lugar” de Christina Rossetti
A beautiful Oriental tale retold by the unique Brazilian writer Malba Tahan — the man who in 1930s Brazil created an Arab alter ego, hoaxed an entire country, and became its favourite author. (Translated by myself.) Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! God is the greatest! God is the greatest! When God created woman, he created also … Continue lendo [Translated story] A Fable about the Fable
Many people nowadays misunderstand the role of villains in stories. This misunderstanding has ruined a sad number of good stories, so I call upon my fellow-storytellers, and our audiences, to correct it. The storytellers, by creating villains and heroes differently; and the audiences, by being alert and holding us to account. Whether their creators realize … Continue lendo [Essay] The myth of the good villain
