Image courtesy of USF.
By Olivia Borek
In a society where literature intertwines with the influence of social media, staying connected to one’s cultural roots poses a significant challenge.
To set the stage for “An Evening with Silvia Moreno-Garcia,” scheduled in the Marshall Student Center, in the University of South Florida, on Oct.10, I delved into the thoughts of author Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Carmen Alvarez, the event’s interviewer and Bookstagram” influencer. The aim was to explore the link between literature and personal identity.
The focal point of the evening’s discussion will be Moreno-Garcia’s novel, “Silver Nitrate.”
This dark thriller, as described on the event’s official website, weaves together Mexican horror cinema and Nazi occultism into a gripping narrative about a cursed lost film.
Moreno-Garcia explained her inspiration for the book, mentioning a footnote about a German occultist in Mexico during the early 20th century. This discovery sparked her deep dive into occultism, which she fused with her existing ideas about filmmaking.
The book’s themes draw parallels with lost Mexican horror films by directors like Carlos Enrique Taboada and Juan López Moctezuma, leaving readers pondering why these films were never released and what they were about. It’s the kind of intriguing material that film enthusiasts love to discuss.
Continuing her research, Moreno-Garcia crafted the primary antagonist, drawing inspiration from Hanns Heinz Ewers, a writer, scriptwriter, translator, correspondent of occultist Aleister Crowley, and a Nazi sympathizer who spent time in Mexico.
To evoke suspense in her novel, she turned to classic ghost story writers like Henry James and M.R. James, adapting their suspense-building techniques for modern readers.
This question of audience and identity deeply resonates with Moreno-Garcia. She emphasized that Latin American literature can encompass a wide range of genres, from crime and science fiction to drama and historical fiction.
However, she stressed that she never aims to write for a broad audience, believing that writing for everyone ultimately means writing for no one. Instead, she focuses on writing about subjects that genuinely fascinate her, letting that passion seep into her pages.
My conversation with Alvarez, a Cuban American book enthusiast and US F alumna,, revolved around Latinx identity and social media.
Alvarez, known for her “Latinx Bookstagram” @tomesandtextile, discussed her personal journey, which began around five years ago when she decided to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month.
She highlighted the scarcity of Latinx authors in mainstream literary media, which poses significant challenges in terms of marketing and publishing diverse content.
Alvarez advocated for increased representation and urged readers to diversify their bookshelves by promoting books from various backgrounds.
Recommending alternatives to popular novels is one of her preferred ways to create a more equitable literary community. She emphasized the limitations of bestseller lists and encouraged her audience to explore independent bookshops to broaden their horizons.
Amidst the growing culture of book banning in Florida, literature remains a vital tool for building a safer and happier society, reminding us of the immense power of words and language.
I also had the privilege of hearing from Dr. Julie Armstrong, a professor of American Literature at the USF St. Petersburg, and a scholar in civil rights and southern literature.
Armstrong discussed the rich history of the Gothic novel, noting its enduring themes of the supernatural, the interplay of past and present, mysteries, secrets and visual symbols of decay and fear.
Authors, she explained, continually respond to the social and cultural forces around them, using their work to grapple with questions and issues relevant to their times while addressing universal human fears and anxieties.
“An Evening with Silvia Moreno-Garcia” promises to be an event filled with intellectual insights and inspiring stories.
