Death is Eternal #371

Sunday. October 22, 2023. 1,596 words.

Because of time, I almost, almost didn’t write this Death is Eternal today. But then I looked at my calendar and realized I wouldn’t have the time to write it tomorrow—at least not in time to publish at 5 p.m. PT—so here I am, at 8 p.m. PT, writing the newsletter. Don’t I deserve something for my effort? I think I do! So please, please consider upgrading your subscription or, at the very minimum, spreading the word by sharing this brand new Death is Eternal.

Contents

1. Captaincy of Pernambuco

2. Writing: Reading

3. Bye!

4. Life (from October 16 to 29, 2023)

5. Death is Eternal review #242: Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters by Mike Grell, Julia Lacquement, Ken Bruzenak, and others

6. The end

1. Captaincy of Pernambuco

Duarte Coelho Pereira knelt, his fingers sinking into the rich, dark earth, and a slow smile spread across his weathered face. The soil whispered secrets to him, promising untold potential.

The Donatário had heard tales of this land but had dismissed them as exaggerated yarns. Yet, standing amidst the palpable truth, he felt a kinship with doubting Thomas, understanding now that to believe genuinely, one must witness.

Turning to his wife, Dona Brites de Albuquerque, Coelho brushed the dirt from his hands, his eyes alight with newfound fervour. “My dearest, what once seemed a penance reveals itself as a benediction. Here, our dreams may unfurl, unfettered.”

Following her husband’s lead, Brites, too, cradled the earth in her palms. A smile mirrored her husband’s, an unspoken understanding of the boundless potential.

“We must hasten,” she implored.

Coelho knew the urgency all too intimately. A chance to forge a legacy for himself, for Brites, for the crown, for Portugal—yet, no easy feat.

“Quickly, men! Secure the beach by nightfall. Our defences and new abodes must rise with the dawn. Swiftly!” The urgency in his command was unvarnished.

The men complied, some rolling their eyes while others worked quickly. By the end of the day, they had fortified the beach just as Coelho had strategized.

And in that moment when Duarte and Dona Brites first touched the earth, the Captaincy began to burgeon. The soil, a perfect cradle for cane and cotton, held promises of untold wealth. Brazilwood, rarer than gold, nestled in its embrace. “This land will be sacred,” Coelho murmured to his wife on one of their earliest nights in the New World.

“Only if we make it so.”

Their smiles spoke volumes. At that moment, Duarte Coelho and Dona Brites cared not for the blood to stain the sand and soil nor the lives of the enslaved people they would inevitably require. Their concern lay singularly in personal gain.

Contemplating a future ablaze with glory, the couple embraced, their union a testament to the inexorable drive that coursed through their veins.

The end

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The Captaincy of Pernambuco or New Lusitania (Portuguese: Nova Lusitânia) was a hereditary land grant and administrative subdivision of northern Portuguese Brazil during the colonial period from the early sixteenth century until Brazilian independence. At the time of the Independence of Brazil, it became a province of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. Captaincies were originally horizontal tracts of land (generally), 50 leagues wide, extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Torsedillas meridian.

2. Writing: Reading

Credit: Substack (an owl reading a book in front of an audience)

In the realm of literary events, book readings have long held a revered place. Authors stand before eager audiences, ready to breathe life into their creations. Yet, for some, myself included, the appeal of these readings is dubious at best. While they offer an intimate glimpse into the creator’s mind, they often detract from the experience of reading and discovering the book independently. One fundamental issue lies in our (author) tendency to emphasize certain aspects while overlooking others, thus skewing the reader’s perception. Moreover, the imposition of a predetermined pace disrupts the natural rhythm of individual reading habits. Ultimately, discussing a book’s motivations, challenges, and evolution proves more potent in fostering a genuine connection between author and reader.

One of the most significant drawbacks of book readings is the inherent bias they introduce. When we take centre stage, we inevitably emphasize what we deem pivotal, inadvertently diminishing the importance of other elements. This selective focus skews the reader’s interpretation, potentially robbing them of the opportunity to discover the nuances and subtleties of the narrative organically. What might have been a captivating journey of exploration becomes a guided tour, with we, as the curator, dictating which aspects deserve attention.

Furthermore, book readings disrupt the personal rhythm that accompanies the act of reading. Every reader possesses a unique cadence, a tempo dictated by their preferences, mood, and circumstances. Attending a reading replaces the innate rhythm with someone else’s prescribed pace. This imposition can lead to a jarring experience akin to listening to a favourite song played out of tune. The enchanting dance of words loses its fluidity, replaced by the stilted march of predetermined phrases.

In contrast, discussing the book and delving into the motivations, challenges, and the journey behind its creation offers a more profound connection between the author and reader. This dialogue allows for a rich exploration of the work, untainted by our preconceptions. It invites readers to participate actively in the interpretation, forging a more personal and authentic connection to the narrative.

Recently (Oct. 11, 2023), I did a reading of the short story I wrote for emerge 23, which confirmed my reservations about book readings. I divulged nearly ninety percent of the story’s content in the allotted time. The revelation left me questioning why individuals would still be inclined to purchase and read the story when the essence had already been laid bare. It became apparent that the magic of discovery, the thrill of unearthing hidden gems, was diluted by my own interpretation.

In conclusion, while book readings have their merits, they can often weaken the overall experience of reading and discovering a new book. Our selective emphasis and the disruption of personal reading rhythm hinder the natural flow of engagement with the text. Instead, meaningful conversations about the book, its genesis, and its evolution offer a more profound connection between author and reader, free from the constraints of preconceived notions. The magic of storytelling lies in the journey of exploration, and it is this journey that should be cherished and preserved.

Do you agree? Disagree? Maybe agree and disagree?

3. Bye!

Here’s where we say our farewell to the free subscribers. If you want to read the rest of Death is Eternal, consider becoming a paying subscriber. If you already are a paying subscriber, first of all, thank you very, very much! And second, I’ll see you on the other side of the paywall.