On affection and creation

Agustina Bessa-Luís in dialogue with Juan Rodolfo Wilcock and José Régio

Abstract

This work’s main objective is to analyze the correspondence between Agustina Bessa-Luís and José Régio, from 1955 to 1968, and the letters addressed to Juan Rodolfo Wilcock, an Italian-Argentine writer, from 1959 to 1965. In view of the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the publication from the novel “A Sibila”, a landmark in 20th century literature, it becomes relevant to think about dialogues that Agustina Bessa-Luís established with some writers. In addition to being an important record that reveals particularities of emotional coexistence, the materiality of epistolography can also point out ways for us to think about historical and literary value. Written in the same period, the letters, notes and cards exchanged between Agustina Bessa-Luís and José Régio allow reflections on literary writing, reception and criticism, in addition to the cultural manifestations of a time. In the case of the correspondence between Agustina and Wilcock, for example, there are challenging provocations on different subjects, a powerful communication that brings perspectives for reading the Portuguese writer’s important work.