James Winterwood
Encyclopedia
Sir James Winterwood is a fictional English traveller, adventurer and writer in the second half of the 19th century and a recurring character of the Brazilian writer Rita Maria Felix da Silva. He was introduced in the short story San Juan Romero
.
In the stories, James travelled around the world collecting "curious fact
s" to use in his books. More frequently than he would like, these facts turned out to be supernatural
.
During his adventures, James found the dark secret about a Mexican village; he was involved in the strange contend between Lord
Douglas Whitehill
and the bizarre Skykeeper and, by dreams, travelled to Earth's past and knew Mareish-Loh (the Spirit
of Winter). At another moment, he had a dangerous meeting with the Egyptian mythological monster
called "the Ammut". He was in Brazil
(where he found out about the refuge
of monsters and other supernatural
beings called "Arena"), and in Portugal
, when he involuntarily participated in Jose Fagundo de Solemar's plans, a sorcerer of Coimbra
.
Four important features define James Winterwood:
1. A melancholy temperament (a result of James' tendency to "understand" reality
, more specifically the "evil
in the world and in the human heart").
2. An extraordinary memory
. Since he accumulated plenty of painful memories during his life, James practiced memory-blockage, using a technique he learned from an African shaman.
3. A heart probably sapient
that works as his conscience, "talking" to him and advising him. In the 21st century, Sam Winterwood, of who James was ancestor, had a heart like him.
4. His desire that his books can make his name immortal.
1. Nora Winterwood (the fictional deceased writer, author of the book "Eight Minutes Under Water" in "O Tempo Apos"/Time After). Nora was Neil's niece and Jacob's cousin. She is cited by Jacob in the epilogue of "Khen-Zur".
2. Sam Winterwood (a depressed and suicidal man who finds (or assumes) he has become immortal, in "Meu Segredo"/My Secret)
3. Neil Winterwood (the fictional author of "A Little Dictionary of the Hidden Things", a book about occultism, and "Quintessence
", in which he ponders about the "universe's secret"), who is cited in "O Segredo de Chica"/Chica's Secret. A quote from Neil Winterwood is in "Comentário Sangüíneo" (Bloody Commentary). In this quote, Neil defines the term "bela arte noturna" (beautiful nocturne art), a reference to vampirical conditions/practices in opposition to human condition.
4. Jacob Winterwood (an English archeologist who worked for the speculator/supposed mystical objects collector/British gangster Lucius Whitehill. He is featured in "Khen-Zur" and was killed by Morgan H. Pierce, a Lucius's henchman). Jacob was Neil's nephew and Nora's cousin.
San Juan Romero
"San Juan Romero" is a short story by the Brazilian writer, Rita Maria Felix da Silva. It is also the name of the fictional Mexican village the story features and was the first story to feature the recurring character, "Sir James Winterwood". In the tale, Winterwood arrives in San Juan Romero...
.
In the stories, James travelled around the world collecting "curious fact
Fact
A fact is something that has really occurred or is actually the case. The usual test for a statement of fact is verifiability, that is whether it can be shown to correspond to experience. Standard reference works are often used to check facts...
s" to use in his books. More frequently than he would like, these facts turned out to be supernatural
Supernatural
The supernatural or is that which is not subject to the laws of nature, or more figuratively, that which is said to exist above and beyond nature...
.
During his adventures, James found the dark secret about a Mexican village; he was involved in the strange contend between Lord
Lord
Lord is a title with various meanings. It can denote a prince or a feudal superior . The title today is mostly used in connection with the peerage of the United Kingdom or its predecessor countries, although some users of the title do not themselves hold peerages, and use it 'by courtesy'...
Douglas Whitehill
Whitehill
Whitehill is a family surname, appearing both in literature and in historical references.-Whitehills in literature:As fictional family, the Whitehills are featured in the short stories of Brazilian writer Rita Maria Felix da Silva....
and the bizarre Skykeeper and, by dreams, travelled to Earth's past and knew Mareish-Loh (the Spirit
Spirit
The English word spirit has many differing meanings and connotations, most of them relating to a non-corporeal substance contrasted with the material body.The spirit of a living thing usually refers to or explains its consciousness.The notions of a person's "spirit" and "soul" often also overlap,...
of Winter). At another moment, he had a dangerous meeting with the Egyptian mythological monster
Monster
A monster is any fictional creature, usually found in legends or horror fiction, that is somewhat hideous and may produce physical harm or mental fear by either its appearance or its actions...
called "the Ammut". He was in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
(where he found out about the refuge
Wildlife refuge
A wildlife refuge, also called a wildlife sanctuary, may be a naturally occurring sanctuary, such as an island, that provides protection for species from hunting, predation or competition, or it may refer to a protected area, a geographic territory within which wildlife is protected...
of monsters and other supernatural
Supernatural
The supernatural or is that which is not subject to the laws of nature, or more figuratively, that which is said to exist above and beyond nature...
beings called "Arena"), and in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, when he involuntarily participated in Jose Fagundo de Solemar's plans, a sorcerer of Coimbra
Coimbra
Coimbra is a city in the municipality of Coimbra in Portugal. Although it served as the nation's capital during the High Middle Ages, it is better-known for its university, the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the...
.
Four important features define James Winterwood:
1. A melancholy temperament (a result of James' tendency to "understand" reality
Reality
In philosophy, reality is the state of things as they actually exist, rather than as they may appear or might be imagined. In a wider definition, reality includes everything that is and has been, whether or not it is observable or comprehensible...
, more specifically the "evil
Evil
Evil is the violation of, or intent to violate, some moral code. Evil is usually seen as the dualistic opposite of good. Definitions of evil vary along with analysis of its root motive causes, however general actions commonly considered evil include: conscious and deliberate wrongdoing,...
in the world and in the human heart").
2. An extraordinary memory
Memory
In psychology, memory is an organism's ability to store, retain, and recall information and experiences. Traditional studies of memory began in the fields of philosophy, including techniques of artificially enhancing memory....
. Since he accumulated plenty of painful memories during his life, James practiced memory-blockage, using a technique he learned from an African shaman.
3. A heart probably sapient
Sapient
Sapient may refer to:* Sapience, the ability of an organism or entity to act with judgment* Sapient Corporation, a NASDAQ-traded company...
that works as his conscience, "talking" to him and advising him. In the 21st century, Sam Winterwood, of who James was ancestor, had a heart like him.
4. His desire that his books can make his name immortal.
Other Winterwoods
Later, other short stories written by Rita Maria Felix da Silva showed James Winterwood as probable ancestor of the following characters:1. Nora Winterwood (the fictional deceased writer, author of the book "Eight Minutes Under Water" in "O Tempo Apos"/Time After). Nora was Neil's niece and Jacob's cousin. She is cited by Jacob in the epilogue of "Khen-Zur".
2. Sam Winterwood (a depressed and suicidal man who finds (or assumes) he has become immortal, in "Meu Segredo"/My Secret)
3. Neil Winterwood (the fictional author of "A Little Dictionary of the Hidden Things", a book about occultism, and "Quintessence
Quintessence
Quintessence, literally fifth essence , can refer to:-Science:* Aether , the fifth classical element after earth, fire, water, and air...
", in which he ponders about the "universe's secret"), who is cited in "O Segredo de Chica"/Chica's Secret. A quote from Neil Winterwood is in "Comentário Sangüíneo" (Bloody Commentary). In this quote, Neil defines the term "bela arte noturna" (beautiful nocturne art), a reference to vampirical conditions/practices in opposition to human condition.
4. Jacob Winterwood (an English archeologist who worked for the speculator/supposed mystical objects collector/British gangster Lucius Whitehill. He is featured in "Khen-Zur" and was killed by Morgan H. Pierce, a Lucius's henchman). Jacob was Neil's nephew and Nora's cousin.