Nearly 80 years old, Sérgio Godinho has released another short story collection. This time, the artist compiled 15 stories centered around the theme of suicide, featuring characters “drawn to the abyss.”
‘As If There Were No Tomorrow – Suicidal Stories’ has hit bookstores just in time for summer holiday reading.
In a conversation with the artist, he admitted, “I have no suicidal urges,” but finds the topic “interesting and important.”
It would be a mistake to think Sérgio Godinho has been solely occupied with writing these tales recently. Apart from this “undertaking,” the musician is also contemplating a new album and continues to perform live.
Soon, he will be honored at the Porto Book Fair, where he will also present his new book and perform a concert with his band, The Advisors.
Recent comments on his book ‘As If There Were No Tomorrow – Suicidal Stories’ sought to explore why he chose to write about suicide.
He clarified that he finds the topic both interesting and significant from a dramaturgical standpoint and in life stories. “It’s a decision about our own lives. In two of the stories, the suicides aren’t even carried out, but the subject is present. It gives a lot of narratives, being a solitary solution,” he stated. He emphasized that the stories are neither morbid nor depressing.
The last narrative in the book reflects hope rather than despair, although Godinho jokingly remarked he shouldn’t reveal that. He wanted to create short stories again to develop very different characters, offering them independence from each other, except for this common theme.
Godinho, who studied psychology before venturing into the arts, reportedly did not base the narratives on psychological explanations, focusing on the unexplainable nature of the characters’ impulses. One story features a female character who feels her decision wouldn’t be understood by those around her, yet she must act on it.
Some tales may be indirectly inspired by known cases. For example, a story involving a successful actor who fears failing his next project shows real anguish. Godinho remarked on the traumatic nature of rejection for some people, emphasizing learning to live with it. Similarly, rejection in love could lead to drastic outcomes, as portrayed in another story entitled ’17 Stabs in Jealousy’.
The recent stories were crafted over a span of sessions, with Godinho asserting his goal of writing regularly, juxtaposed with other commitments. He prefers writing late afternoons or nights when he can work uninterrupted.
Discussing his forthcoming homage at the Porto Book Fair, he expressed delight at being honored in his birthplace. On August 23, a tree will be dedicated to him along with a chosen song line, and on August 30, his book presentation will occur, followed by a performance on the fair’s closing day, September 7.
With nearly 80 years of life and over 50 in the arts, Godinho continues to explore various creative outlets, with music always remaining paramount. He is currently slowly working on a new album, expected next year.
Reflecting on censorship that affected his early albums released in France, he observed the improbability of facing similar restrictions today, citing a recent humor-related controversy. Godinho shared that he is currently exploring works by Ana Lua Caiano and collaborating with the talented Garota Não.
