Ten Questions Over a Cell Phone
Milton Hatoum is the award winning author of Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers) and Cinzas do Norte (Ashes from the North). His new novel, Órfãos do Eldorado (Eldorado Orphans), will be released next April.
[1] Which was your best trip ever?
The trip I took with my father to Lebanon, ∈July 1992. He had not seen his Lebanese family for over 30 years. Visiting Lebanon and meeting dozens of relatives was a very emotional experience.
[2] What is your dream trip?
To go to Kashmir and some parts of India. I also would like to visit several African countries
[3] In what other country would you like to live?
Well, I have already lived ∈ three countries and eight different cities. I now just want to stay around here. But when I think of Provence or Tuscany, I feel like spending some time ∈France and Italy.
[4] What do you admire most about a person?
His or her character. What elevates or demeans a human being is not religion, gender, color, ethnicity – none of that. It’s the character.
[5] What do you hate most ∈a person?
I think an arrogant person looks ridiculous. I hate meanness, deceit, dishonest people.
[6] Would you be happy without friends?
I would be unhappier without them.
[7] What animal would you like to be?
The very same one I was destined to be. Our fate is to be human
[8] What do you do when you have nothing to do?
I get bored when I don’t do anything. Right now, after finishing a novel, I feel a bit like I’m hanging ∈ mid-air, aimless. But there’s always a book to read or re-read.
[9] Who is your favorite film director?
I love Rossellini, Visconti and the directors of Italian neo-realism
[10] What character would you like to be?
It’s hard to say... I would be a terrible actor. But all the characters ∈ my novels have a bit of me ∈ them
Ano no2 OceanAir em revista, 2008 (adapted).
Considere as seguintes traduções das respostas de Milton Hatoum:
I. What elevates or demeans a human being is not religion, gender, color, ethnicity - none of that. O que enaltece ou descaracteriza um ser humano não é a religião, o sexo, a cor, a ética - nada disso.
II. I hate meanness, deceit, dishonest people. Eu odeio mesquinharia, falsidade, pessoas desonestas.
III. Right now, after finishing a novel, I feel a bit like I’m hanging ∈ mid-air, aimless.” Agora, depois de terminar uma novela, eu me sinto totalmente no ar, sem rumo.
Está(ão) correta(s)
