Carolina Soares, a young writer from Flores Island in the Azores who has been making a name for herself on the literary scene in the Azores, has now presented her book ‘That Man’s Diary’ at the Ponta Delgada Public Library and Regional Archive. The book deals with the impact of domestic violence on the family.

Correio dos Açores – Since 2023 you’ve released the books “Projecto Derreal: Os amigos que nunca fiz”, “Banho de Lua Cheia” and “A Vida de Jabita”. How have these books been received by the public?
The first was the one that aroused everyone’s curiosity the most. The quality of the content has increased since “Full Moon Bath”. Those who have had the chance to read it have noticed a difference in the writing and in the highlights of the characters. The narrative has also improved.

Do you have a preference?
I think an author almost always prefers their latest book, because it was written from a more recent perspective, with more care than the others. They all have their value, but if I had to choose, I’d pick “That Man’s Diary”, because of its maturity.

What do you cover in “That Man’s Diary”?
That Man’s Diary is a journey of emotions, a description of events from childhood to adulthood. It’s where you can feel the weight of overwork, domestic violence, anxiety and betrayal. It also shows the impact this reality has on the family.

There’s always a lesson to be learned from the books we read. What message can we take from this one?
What would be the point of a life that was straightforward, but without great euphoria or adrenaline rushes? Life is a breath and feeling it intensely makes us people who have really lived their lives, not just existed. That’s why the book’s motto is “Better a wrong life than a stopped life”.

Can you say that, compared to your previous books, this one is more mature?
It’s a more mature book and sometimes a little predictable, because many people will identify with the main character’s way of life and her mistakes.

Who is the target audience for this particular book?
The target audience is mostly adults, especially those who are living through challenging family relationships.

In your works, there is a component of inspiration from real life. Do you agree?
There is always inspiration, of course. It’s in the family that we see most of what we live with and if there’s better inspiration than that, there will certainly be more and more interesting stories. It may not be in your family that you find the urge to write a diary, but everyone has a story to tell.
I’d like to point out that the book is based on some true facts, but is mostly fiction.

Who is Carolina as a writer? And as a person?
I’m just someone who does what she likes and isn’t limited by what the environment thinks is best for me. Many, along the way, will want to put us down and devalue our potential, but wanting to “be someone in life” doesn’t mean I’m better than anyone else. In fact, I would like everyone to see themselves in the best possible light, because they deserve happiness, but they are responsible for reaping it. As a person, I sometimes worry more about others than about myself.

What would today’s Carolina say to yesterday’s Carolina? And tomorrow’s?
Never, ever demand too much of yourself and accept everything. Don’t care if they don’t like you; if they hug you but envy you…
To tomorrow, I would say: Don’t say anything to anyone, or justify yourself, because never forget what a friend told you about enemies not believing and friends not needing.

Do you already have your next work in mind?
Yes, but now I’m taking a short break.

Neuza Almeida is a journalist for Correio dos Açores, Natalino Viveiros, director