A writer looking for himself: A reading of Páginas (I), by Ruben A., in the light of studies in literature and tourism

Abstract

Páginas (I), the debut book by Portuguese writer Ruben A., is a blend of diary and fiction recounting the author’s travels across Europe and America between 1947 and 1949. In this essay, I aim to position this book within the realms of literature and tourism studies, utilizing certain categories intrinsic to this field of knowledge. Firstly, I seek to justify why Ruben A. in Páginas (I) simultaneously embodies characteristics of both a tourist and a traveler. I then analyze his journeys as a cultural tourist, eagerly engaging with the artistic productions of the major cultural centers of the Western world. Subsequently, I delve into Ruben A. as a literary tourist, exploring his relationship with Thomas Hardy, and as a literary pilgrim, examining his connection with Shakespeare. In the latter case, I elucidate the effects that the encounter with the author-Deity has on the discourse. A secondary objective of this essay, in addition to situating Páginas (I) within literature and tourism studies, is to investigate the motivations of the traveler Ruben A., operating on the premise that his movements hold a special significance. Therefore, I conclude by demonstrating the thesis that his journeys stem from an existential and artistic demand, resulting in the creation of a book, the development of a unique expression, and the establishment of a literary name under which he signs his future autobiographical and fictional works.