It's a delightful collection of Joseph Viola Moutinho.
Despite the book is part of a collection of youth as the author states on the back, these texts address to a wider audience, in good time. When I leaf through this small chest of the oral memories of my ancestors, it reminds me of some of the stories I was told by older relatives. One of my favorite was about pirates and involved a very smart saint called Peter, who wanted his chapel to be erected near the sea. It seems strange is not it? What have in common the first apostle of the Lord with evil villains? Incidentally, this book is filled with legends about stories with pirates that much more appreciated plundering the island's coastal towns, for that reason are included in our islander imaginary. Another story that has always fascinated me was the real origin of the name of the city of Machico and the discovery of Madera, there are two historical accounts that corroborate such cursed love, much to the taste of the Portuguese people, which led to a famous legend of the island. Nothing is more eternal than a love interrupted by a vile fate. That was very poetic even for me. As a young impressionable lady, it thrilled me to the tears the unfortunate story of Robert Machin and Anne of Arfet, they were hopelessly and madly enamored to the point of fleeing to get marry. And I say no more! You must read this book! Good reading.
