A photo of God in the wallet

In my novel "Fleeing into Silence" (Vicente Fisac, Amazon), the protagonist, who narrates this story of love, adventure, music, travel, and intrigue, has the chance to meet and befriend Eloy, a young singer who won a television contest and has gained even more fame than David Bisbal. But Eloy is a peculiar character, with a personality that could be described as “against the grain.” In fact, when I wrote this novel, through which various characters pass, I was struck by how, when it came time to put words in Eloy’s mouth, it wasn’t me choosing them—rather, it was Eloy himself, my character, who took the lead and dictated to me what he wanted to say. I must admit this didn’t happen with any of the other characters, not in this novel or any other.

That’s why I love recalling some of the things he said, and I’d like to share them with others too. This was one of those conversations with which Eloy always surprised us—this character from my novel who even surprised me with the things he said, which I simply transcribed.
 
“Over dessert, I said to Eloy: 
‘As you can see, we’re quite different. For me, God—whatever or whoever that might be—is something that might be out there but doesn’t really affect me. For you, though, God seems to be a part of your life.’ 
 
Eloy looked at me, smiled, and said:
‘Do you want to see God?’ 
 
I was taken aback and replied:
‘What, is He here or something?’ 
 
‘I’ve got a photo of Him.’ 
Once again, he caught me off guard.
 
‘One of those little pictures of Jesus or the Virgin Mary?’ I asked. ‘Are you one of those people who always carry a holy card in their wallet?’ 
 
‘Yes, but it’s not a holy card—it’s a real image, an authentic photograph.’ 
Eloy reached for his wallet and pulled out a photograph, showing it to me while explaining that he always carried it with him. I was stunned when I saw it because it was a real photograph showing the rings of Saturn. 
 
‘This? It’s Saturn,’ I said. 
 
‘It’s a recent photograph taken by a NASA satellite. The most important part is right here, between these two rings. Do you see that tiny white dot?’ He pointed to a small white speck between two rings, though the black background of the photo was filled with countless similar dots—undoubtedly other stars or planets. ‘That little dot is Earth, where we are right now. You can see how insignificant it is. If you keep this in mind, you’ll realize that we—our “selves”—are nothing more than a tiny speck of dust, and all those things we give so much importance to are utterly worthless. Looking at this photo is a lesson in humility that reminds us of God’s greatness and the insignificance of our petty troubles.’ 
 
Eloy’s photograph and words achieved their purpose—they made me reflect on my mistakes, my selfishness. I’d always been focused on myself, not on others or the people I supposedly cared about. My love for others had always been conditional, tied to how it made me feel. I’d never bothered to understand what others felt; I only sought interactions that satisfied me. There was, indeed, another way of seeing the world that I’d never considered before, and there was this kid, with astonishing confidence and certainty, showing me the most basic truths that anyone should know—but which my obsession with self-satisfaction had kept me from recognizing.”
 
P.S. – The image accompanying this post is, in fact, the photo Eloy carried in his wallet. It was taken by the Cassini probe, and that tiny, insignificant dot visible in the lower right is Earth.

A chance encounter will take him far away, on a thrilling adventure full of action and emotion that will change his life... but also the lives of everyone around him…
“Fleeing into silence”: https://a.co/d/7SUfVb3

“Fleeing into silence”: Critical analysis

The novel "Fleeing into silence" has a clear structure, with a plot development that maintains an interesting pace. The narrative alternates between different perspectives and situations, which enriches the story, as does the occasional use of retrospective scenes (flashbacks), although sometimes these might seem to divert us from the main narrative thread.

The story is told in the first person by a retired publicist, Marcos, who has an unexpected encounter with a young and famous singer, Eloy. From this chance meeting arises the idea to organize for Eloy – according to his own wishes – a kind of "publicity campaign for anonymity." This premise is truly paradoxical and challenging because the goal of advertising is to make known and ultimately "sell," but in this case, it involves using all creative imagination for the opposite: providing anonymity to someone extremely famous.
 
Numerous characters parade through the novel, both in Spain and Norway, where they move to so that Eloy can achieve his longed-for anonymity. The description of Norway is vivid and provides a significant contrast to Eloy's life in Spain. The setting not only serves as a backdrop but also acts as another character, influencing both Eloy's transformation and those around him. This experience, in addition to showing us the contrasts between Spanish and Norwegian cultures, leads us into something deeper and more important: the human being. In this regard, Eloy's character becomes a catalyst for emotions and demonstrates – this being one of the novel's strong points – how one person's influence can change lives.
 
As in every story where everything is perfectly planned and no loose ends are left, the unexpected still occurs. In this sense, the plot has several innovative twists that add layers of mystery and humanity to the narrative.
 
The novel explores themes such as fame, identity, authenticity, the impact of human relationships, and the complex world of communication and journalism. Concerning the latter, it reveals what goes on behind the scenes in journalism, which is appreciated since we are always spectators of what journalists tell us but do not know what lies behind the news.
 
The silence that surrounds us when we read a novel will, on this occasion, take us on a journey of contrasts between different cultures and – most importantly – show us the most significant journey we must all undertake: the journey within to better understand ourselves.
 

“Fleeing into silence”: https://a.co/d/7SUfVb3

When a novel is translated into English

When a novel is translated into English, it’s not the same as writing in your native language versus doing so in a different one. For this reason, the author of “Fleeing into Silence” wishes to clarify a few points before you decide whether to read this novel. As the author aptly warns, this is a story “that leaves no one indifferent.”

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
 
I am Spanish, and my native language is Spanish. I learned English after turning forty when I realized it was essential for my professional advancement, and indeed, thanks to learning English, I achieved the job I had always dreamed of, which allowed me to live from what I wrote, from my creativity, and my initiatives.
 
After retiring, I began writing and publishing books, including this novel, which I have now translated into English to overcome language barriers. However, considering that my command of English isn't particularly good, it's clear that the original Spanish version of this novel is much better than the English adaptation I've made.
 
Therefore, I ask readers to approach this reading as if a Spanish person who doesn't fully master English were telling the story, with his foreign accent and the linguistic inaccuracies that anyone who doesn't have English as their native language might make. For example, I've been told that the dialogues and narration in English "feel natural and help to characterize the characters, although at some points, the translations of Spanish colloquial phrases into English might not fully capture the original cultural nuance."
 
With that said, I hope you enjoy this thrilling story, which I am sure will surprise you on every page, and that you consider the story and its message more important than the words the narrator uses to convey them. Because – as I've also been told – this novel "has universal appeal as it deals with the search for self amidst the chaos of fame and human relationships".
 

“Fleeing into silence”: https://a.co/d/7SUfVb3

It takes us to Classical Greece 2,600 years ago

With more than 30 books published, the Spanish journalist and communicator Vicente Fisac, ​​presents “Life debt”, his first novel written in English.

Inspired by historical events, it takes us to Classical Greece 2,600 years ago to tell us an exciting story of love, friendship and honor, within the framework of the celebration of the Olympic Games.
 
Vicente Fisac (Madrid, Spain, 1949) has dedicated his entire life to Communication and Journalism.
 
“Life debt” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon): https://a.co/d/hono34C

The growing trend of greek and roman historical films

The fascination with Classical Antiquity, specifically ancient Greece and Rome, has resurged in the film industry, marking a new era of interest in historical epics. From the lavish productions of the 1950s and 60s to modern reinterpretations, cinema has found in the mythology and history of these civilizations an inexhaustible source of epic narratives, political intrigues, and iconic characters.
 
In recent years, there has been a notable increase in films and series focusing on the life and myths of Greeks and Romans. This interest can be attributed to several factors:
 
On one hand, technological advancements stand out; current technology allows for the recreation of settings and battles with unprecedented realism, adding impressive visual value to these stories. Films like "Troy" (2004) by Wolfgang Petersen have used special effects to recreate the legendary Trojan War with detail that was previously impossible.
 
Secondly, there has been a growing appetite for historical and cultural knowledge, driven by globalized education and access to information via the internet. Movies like "Gladiator" (2000) by Ridley Scott not only entertain but also serve as an entry point for studying Roman history.
 
Additionally, some modern directors seek new ways to tell ancient stories, adding layers of complexity to characters and exploring contemporary themes within a historical framework. "Ágora" (2009) by Alejandro Amenábar, for example, focuses on the figure of Hypatia of Alexandria, exploring themes of gender and science in late Rome.
 
These films do not just provide entertainment; they have a significant impact on education and popular culture. Many schools and teachers use these films as educational tools to introduce concepts of history, philosophy, and sciences from Antiquity.
 
However, this renaissance is not without criticism, as historical accuracy often leaves much to be desired. Creative liberties frequently distort historical facts to fit the narrative or entertainment needs. Even worse is the current obsession with racial mixing, which has led to the introduction of gender and ethnic biases into stories, thus distorting historical facts and leading new generations to confusion and ignorance.
 
But this trend of historical films about Greece and Rome shows no signs of fading. With each new production, layers are added to our understanding and appreciation of these civilizations, although there's always the need to remember that cinema is an art form, not a historical document. The key is to enjoy these epic narratives while fostering a critical spirit that leads us to explore beyond the screen to understand the true history and mythology of these ancient empires. For this, one must seek historical sources written before this century, where the obsession with distorting history has reached levels that border on the absurd, if we did not know that such actions are clearly intentional. 

 

“Life debt” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon): https://a.co/d/hono34C

Classical Greece 2,600 years ago

The novel "Life Debt," have been published by Kindle Direct Publishing and available in Amazon. It draws its inspiration from historical events during Classical Greece, a period roughly 2,600 years ago. Here's what we can gather from available sources:
 
Historical Context and Inspiration: The novel seems to delve into the concept of debt, both literal and symbolic, during the Classical Greek period. This theme resonates with historical discussions around democracy, philosophy, and the societal structure of ancient Greece, where concepts like debt and citizenship were intricately linked. The notions of a “life debt” explore themes of honor, obligation, and the interplay between personal and civic responsibilities in a society where these concepts were foundational to the political and social order.
 
Themes and Narrative: Considering the historical backdrop, "Life Debt" might explore narratives around:
Economic and Social Debt: Reflecting on how debt influenced personal lives, politics, and even led to significant historical events.
Philosophical and Ethical Debates: Incorporating the teachings of philosophers, who might discuss the morality of debt or the obligations one has to society.
Historical Figures: Inspired by figures whose lives were marked by such debts or obligations.
Literary Style and Audience: Given its focus on historical events, the novel could adopt a style that blends historical fiction with contemporary storytelling, appealing to readers interested in Greek history, classical literature, or those who enjoy stories where historical events frame personal narratives.

 

“Life debt” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon): https://a.co/d/hono34C