The Scream of A Thousand Libraries Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Forgotten Literature.

Read chapter 41 of The Scream of A Thousand Libraries by Susangja on NovelPedia.

POV: RENATA SILVEIRA. The noise from recess still seemed to echo throughout the school. The type that was a classic signal of the moments where the school was in class time. But between these periods, the noise was replaced by silence. And, at that moment, it was the best time to study. Even after the strange incident with the boy, who actually ended up in the hospital, the classes the next day went on as normal. Of course, there was the usual whispering throughout the day, but nothing more than a little buzz. The subject apparently died down after that... ‘At least we hoped so…’ After all, regular classes were already over, and we were simply waiting for Miguel’s class to start that day, which would only begin in the afternoon. So, for the time being, we sat at the tables in the courtyard, where snacks were usually served. The school had all sorts of rules about staying in the off-hours, but since I had studied there for years, getting permission wasn’t hard. Special classes became just another extracurricular on the long list we’d made in recent years. The courtyard was peaceful at this time, the lunch ladies started preparing the afternoon snack, while teachers came and went, heading out for lunch. There were trees around the bench and table where we sat, their full canopies swaying in the strong wind, keeping the heat away. I realized how much I was lost in thought, so I opted to open my notebook and start reading exercises that I needed to solve, but my head was pounding. I sighed and massaged my temples. “Literary hangover again?” Helena asked with that teasing smile she could pull off without sounding mean. I nodded. “Yeah, I devoured Curry’s book in what, less than a week?” She laughed, but I knew it wasn’t an exaggeration. Literary hangovers always came when I overdid it. And it was something normal, after all, as our teacher Andressa used to comment in class: “A book hangover is nothing more than a magical overload released in your brain, the faster you read, the more energy your brain has to process,” she said, while writing the definition on the board. “The result is exhaustion and a headache.” After a few moments, when the throbbing subsided, I was able to focus on my notebook, adjusted my posture, and continued. “But it’s all right. It’ll pass soon.” “You’re crazy, Rê.” Helena shook her head. “It takes me weeks to finish a book like that.” “I just can’t stop. It’s like the text grabs my attention beyond my control.” She shrugged and started scribbling some notes. That brief silence was broken when we remembered Ms. Andressa’s Geography of Enchantment assignment. “Oh, right!” Helena said, lifting her head. “Have you thought about what you’re going to write?” I rolled my eyes. “Hard to forget. That IBGEL question, right?” Our last class had been about a fact from the Brazilian Institute of Literary Geography and Statistics: More than 86% of registered literary marks in the country were international books. Only 14% were from Brazilian authors. It was almost a cruel portrait of our cultural inferiority complex. “And the assignment was like... What, listing national literary marks we know, right?” I saw Helena rest her hand on the table, seeming to ponder the subject. “Actually, it’s how many holders of Brazilian literary marks you know,” she corrected me. “Three, counting myself: Professor Francisco, you, and that’s it,” I replied, grinning without humor. She raised her eyebrows. “Seriously? Just that?” “Yeah,” I said, answering the questions on the sheet. “And the worst part is, people always cite the same authors when talking about Brazilian literary marks...” Machado de Assis, Jorge Amado... always them. No one mentioned Lúcio Cardoso, Hilda Hilst, Carolina Maria de Jesus. It’s like there were only a handful of names. “Maybe because the others are a pain to read,” Helena laughed, lightening the mood. “Oh, get lost—” I threw an eraser at her, which she dodged, still laughing. “If that were the case, no one would r