Nau Vespertina: dezembro 2010

23 de dezembro de 2010

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've started reading this book some months ago. It took me a while to read it not because I was not enjoying it but because it's a very dense book, full of meanings and many times dark and melancolic like the medieval times. So I had to pause from time to time. Eco uses a detective story to let us dive in the theological and political concepts that reigned in that period in time. A very thick story of monks and religion, inquisitor and heretics, showing us the mind set of people of that time, whom used relligion to gain control over other people, specially the said simple minded. No one is pure or rightful, they are all govern by pride or lust or corruption which makes a high contrast with the rational and skepict William of Baskerville who bring some light in this shadowed and dogmatic world.

I've really liked the discussions about poverty and it was really a shame it ended so badly (although completely within the moral standards for that time). It made a lot of sense to my optimistic and Utopic mind.

It is a book to be read many times to fully understand and appreciate its content with a higly beneficial secondary effect of trigging my imagination.

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4 de dezembro de 2010

Word of the day - in english

I love the word REALIZE and its meaning. Like in: I've just realized I have a survival need to write. Subtle and definite.

Writing...

I've just found out that I need to write. Kind of courious, because I always write. I never thought this was a survival need, but I have just realize it. The days I don't write I feel sad. I just don't know yet if I wish to be read. Well, I guess I do.

I failed miserably on the NaNoWri effort to write 50.000 words in November. I've written only 6.800. I knew I would failed. I had classes for two weeks in November which left me with no time besides working, feeding the dogs, managing my life and going to classes (i can't say I'm studying!). But I'm not worry. 6.800 words is a lot already and I'll keep writing. Right now, Joaquina is almost giving birth to Afonso, I have started on telling Eulália's motivations to life, Borba Aragão is on standby, and I need to start working with Eunice.

As many doubts come to me, like why am I writing a story that starts on Portugal in 1828, I know nothing about Portugal or habits in 1828, I keep the faith I can do it, somehow.