LUCIUS MINICIUS RIDES AGAIN
On Friday the 8th of April the students of iinstitut d’Altafulla were intrigued and awaiting the author of Lucius Minicius Rides Again, Bev Allan, from Lincolnshire. In the lecture the aim, inspiration and meaning of her were brilliantly explained. The book is set shortly after the Barcelona Olympics 92 introducing us and following the interesting but curious life of an intelligent young girl, Gúdrun.
The first topic to come forward was: Why that title? Lucius Minicius Natalis was the first recognised champion in the Olympics at Olimpia in 129, but that’s not all, he was from Barcino (Barcelona in Latin). At the opening ceremony of the Paralympics a reanimated Lucius Minicius appeared accompanied by a huge chorus. Riding again? Well, the glory of the Hispanian champion is resurrected with the celebration of the Paralympics at his natal city, there are other meanings though, Markus Rilz, one of the main characters, is an individual with extraordinary abilities, let’s just say that he’s a resurrected Lucius, you’ll have to venture with the book to see…
To get inspired is easier said than done, Bev Allan always takes advantage of inspiration, anything that crosses her imagination, if she likes it she will write it down and take the most of it. Writing is a pleasure for her more than just ordinary work or hobby, it’s a passion, and we should never underestimate the power of words. They give you wings, they say.
The British writer never thought that she would be at this meeting. When she started typing the first pages of the novel, she didn’t expect it would be for a young-aged group of people. Barcelona was bustling during the great sports event, the variety of people, the competitions, her children going on about it and the magic of the Paralympics where the source of reasons for her to start putting black on white about the happenings.
Tolerance is another word that stays with us during and after reading the book, acceptance and equality are the spines of the novel. Pleasant story, touching characters, historical environment, family bonding, ways of finding emotional serenity… Is anything missing in Lucius Minicius Rides Again?
Frederic Oliva 1r BAT B
