By Gwendolyn Dawson José Saramago’s novel The Elephant’s Journey, published after his death earlier this year, borrows its action from an actual historical event: the gift of an elephant by the king of Portugal to the Archduke of Austria in 1551 and the elephant’s subsequent journey to its new home. Filled with charm and whimsy, it reads like an adult …
Using Fiction to Tell the Truth
Portuguese journalist and novelist José Rodrigues dos Santos discusses how fiction can be a better way to tell a true story. By José Rodrigues dos Santos LISBON, PORTUGAL: The American Super Stallion helicopters landed in the Kuwaiti desert amongst much dust and panache, and the US Marines took position in the sandy grounds in full combat gear, pointing their guns …