These Four Strange Men
by Ivo Dias de Sousa | Literature & Fiction | This book has not been rated.
ISBN: Global Overview for this book
ISBN: Global Overview for this book
Registered by ivosousa on 8/7/2012
1 journaler for this copy...
My first book in english (a translation from portughese). You can download the PDF file of the book: http://thesefourstrangemen.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/these-four-strange-man-final-pdf-blog.pdf
or check the book on amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/These-Four-Strange-Men-ebook/dp/B008MC3A8M/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344279049&sr=1-3&keywords=ivo+dias+de+sousa
This book has been inspired by an excellent series of books written by Portuguese writer Gonçalo M. Tavares and based on the life and work of particular authors – as in Tavares’ “Mister Calvino” which is based on the life and work of Italian writer, Italo Calvino.
In the case of this particular book, the main characters of the short stories are loosely inspired by ideas and theories. Such ideas and theories form a basis for the characters’ personality and actions.
“Mister Market” is inspired by Benjamin Graham, university professor and professional investor, and his ideas about stock market behaviour. He compares stock markets to someone who is rather unstable and has severe and sudden mood swings. In other words, he compares the market to someone who can rapidly pass from euphoria to depression (and vice versa), with behaviour may not be at all rational.
The story of “Mister Newton”, on the other hand, contrasts with “Mister Market” in the way that it freely builds on the law of gravity discovered by Sir Isaac Newton. Newton’s formulation of a number of equations based on the law of gravity will allow very accurate predictions about the orbits of the planets in the solar system for many years to come. “Mister Newton” can therefore be considered someone not bored by repetition and who prefers to plan ahead.
“Mister Darwin” is obviously inspired by the eponymous theory of Darwinism and natural selection. Thereby, “Mister Darwin” is a very competitive fellow constantly trying to gain immediate benefits from every situation. His conduct tends to be morally questionable. Sometimes the “reality” that I have created becomes too unexpected even for “Mister Darwin’s” tastes. :)
“Mister Said” is not along the lines of the previous characters. He is very loosely based (very loosely indeed) on modern theories of Physics and on the figure of Aleister Crowley. He’s a magician in the literal sense – he is capable of “impossible” things, including levitating and reading the minds of others. He is a lonely person and one of his main concerns is to remain inconspicuous – he believes that enemies are lurking :). It is an unfortunate fact ;-), but sometimes he has to face situations that challenge this concern.
Sometimes, I have also forced the characters to face some problems, although with the best intentions (or not). Had I not challenged them, they would have hardly grown as individuals. Plus, their lives would have incurred the danger of dullness.
Dear reader, you may very well disagree, but you must believe me. ;-)
Mister Said’s Dream World
Mister Said likes to visit his dream world. And basically, he wants that world to stay as it is - a quiet place where Mister Said can be alone with his thoughts.
Its always daytime, but the light is soft. Even though there are no clouds in the sky, you can’t see the sun anywhere and there aren’t any shadows. The light appears from nowhere.
Mister Said’s dream world is essentially a sea of endless hills. The hills are covered with grass and there aren’t many trees in the scene. There are no animals anywhere.
Lots of streams run up and down Mister Said’s hills. He enjoys bathing in these streams. And the water is just as Mister Said likes it: somewhat chilly when you first get in, but afterwards perfect.
In one of these frequent bathing sessions, it occurred to Mister Said to change the décor of his dream world. After all, it was his world. He started by placing some water up in the air. He liked the idea of diving into the water from below. What pleased him the most, though, was to raise himself up really high and dive in, with all his might, so that he would cut through the water and surface below.
Another modification he made was to place some trees in the air, complete with their roots and earth. Some of these were put upside down, just for fun. They look good in the air. As well, he could sit close to them and quietly observe his dream world from above.
or check the book on amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/These-Four-Strange-Men-ebook/dp/B008MC3A8M/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344279049&sr=1-3&keywords=ivo+dias+de+sousa
This book has been inspired by an excellent series of books written by Portuguese writer Gonçalo M. Tavares and based on the life and work of particular authors – as in Tavares’ “Mister Calvino” which is based on the life and work of Italian writer, Italo Calvino.
In the case of this particular book, the main characters of the short stories are loosely inspired by ideas and theories. Such ideas and theories form a basis for the characters’ personality and actions.
“Mister Market” is inspired by Benjamin Graham, university professor and professional investor, and his ideas about stock market behaviour. He compares stock markets to someone who is rather unstable and has severe and sudden mood swings. In other words, he compares the market to someone who can rapidly pass from euphoria to depression (and vice versa), with behaviour may not be at all rational.
The story of “Mister Newton”, on the other hand, contrasts with “Mister Market” in the way that it freely builds on the law of gravity discovered by Sir Isaac Newton. Newton’s formulation of a number of equations based on the law of gravity will allow very accurate predictions about the orbits of the planets in the solar system for many years to come. “Mister Newton” can therefore be considered someone not bored by repetition and who prefers to plan ahead.
“Mister Darwin” is obviously inspired by the eponymous theory of Darwinism and natural selection. Thereby, “Mister Darwin” is a very competitive fellow constantly trying to gain immediate benefits from every situation. His conduct tends to be morally questionable. Sometimes the “reality” that I have created becomes too unexpected even for “Mister Darwin’s” tastes. :)
“Mister Said” is not along the lines of the previous characters. He is very loosely based (very loosely indeed) on modern theories of Physics and on the figure of Aleister Crowley. He’s a magician in the literal sense – he is capable of “impossible” things, including levitating and reading the minds of others. He is a lonely person and one of his main concerns is to remain inconspicuous – he believes that enemies are lurking :). It is an unfortunate fact ;-), but sometimes he has to face situations that challenge this concern.
Sometimes, I have also forced the characters to face some problems, although with the best intentions (or not). Had I not challenged them, they would have hardly grown as individuals. Plus, their lives would have incurred the danger of dullness.
Dear reader, you may very well disagree, but you must believe me. ;-)
Mister Said’s Dream World
Mister Said likes to visit his dream world. And basically, he wants that world to stay as it is - a quiet place where Mister Said can be alone with his thoughts.
Its always daytime, but the light is soft. Even though there are no clouds in the sky, you can’t see the sun anywhere and there aren’t any shadows. The light appears from nowhere.
Mister Said’s dream world is essentially a sea of endless hills. The hills are covered with grass and there aren’t many trees in the scene. There are no animals anywhere.
Lots of streams run up and down Mister Said’s hills. He enjoys bathing in these streams. And the water is just as Mister Said likes it: somewhat chilly when you first get in, but afterwards perfect.
In one of these frequent bathing sessions, it occurred to Mister Said to change the décor of his dream world. After all, it was his world. He started by placing some water up in the air. He liked the idea of diving into the water from below. What pleased him the most, though, was to raise himself up really high and dive in, with all his might, so that he would cut through the water and surface below.
Another modification he made was to place some trees in the air, complete with their roots and earth. Some of these were put upside down, just for fun. They look good in the air. As well, he could sit close to them and quietly observe his dream world from above.
