"El nacimiento de Venus" de José Luis Velasco. De La biblioteca universal de misterio y Terror.

El nacimiento de Venus: Un Cambio en la Narrativa

La Evolución del Autor

• El autor expresa su desinterés por la realidad común y su transición hacia cuentos fantásticos, inspirándose en obras como "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" de Stevenson y "El Aleph" de Borges.

• Se enfoca en crear historias que, a partir de eventos cotidianos, culminan en desenlaces inesperados que añaden posibilidades inverosímiles pero lógicas a la narrativa.

Temas y Realidades Ambiguas

• Menciona el uso de creencias populares que han perdurado a lo largo del tiempo, como conceptos de nada, eternidad e invisibilidad, para enriquecer sus relatos realistas.

• Destaca cómo estos elementos pueden llevar al lector a una experiencia desconcertante y sorprendente al final del relato.

Reflexiones sobre el Éxito Literario

• Describe su éxito previo como un autor famoso con novelas voluminosas esperadas por un público diverso, enfatizando que su popularidad no se basaba en la profundidad emocional sino en temas melodramáticos universales.

• Reconoce haber abandonado este tipo de literatura tras reflexionar sobre su vida y encontrar inspiración en una mujer más joven.

Influencia Transformadora

• Relata cómo su relación con esta mujer excepcional le llevó a reconsiderar sus producciones literarias anteriores y buscar un enfoque más auténtico.

• Comenta sobre el impacto positivo que tuvo este cambio radical en su carrera literaria.

Encuentro Decisivo

• Narra el encuentro con Elena en San Francisco, donde ella inicialmente se presenta como periodista interesada pero luego revela una conexión más profunda con él.

• Elena critica constructivamente su trabajo anterior, señalando una falta de autenticidad y sugiriendo que tiene potencial para explorar temas más profundos.

Nuevas Direcciones Literarias

• A medida que pasa el tiempo juntos, el autor reconoce la verdad detrás de las observaciones de Elena y decide dejar atrás los caminos fáciles para escribir según sus verdaderas inclinaciones.

• Finalmente, menciona haber publicado un volumen de relatos fantásticos que sorprendió a sus lectores habituales acostumbrados a historias convencionales.

Creative Process and Emotional Impact in Writing

The Setting and Initial Collaboration

• Venus, Elena, and the narrator gather in a workspace to discuss a story over drinks. The narrator mentions a shift in their writing process since meeting Elena, indicating her influence on their work.

• Traditionally, the narrator writes with a fountain pen on paper before typing up the final draft. This method reflects a structured approach to storytelling that allows for revisions based on feedback.

Revision and Feedback

• After completing an initial draft, the narrator shares it with Elena for her insights. She identifies chronological errors and suggests clarifications that enhance narrative clarity. Her input is crucial for refining the story's structure.

• The revisions lead to a more fluid narrative by removing excessive descriptive elements that previously hindered pacing, demonstrating the importance of constructive criticism in creative writing.

Themes and Narrative Elements

• The story features themes of isolation and despair set against an autumnal backdrop, highlighting the protagonist's inability to connect with others emotionally. This setting amplifies the overall tone of melancholy within the narrative.

• A significant scene involves a winter funeral that encapsulates profound desolation, drawing parallels to other literary works while introducing an unexpected twist at its conclusion related to a mysterious woman in town.

Emotional Resonance

• Upon finishing her reading, Elena comments on how the story evokes an unprecedented sense of sadness, suggesting it adds "a unit more of sadness" to the world—a metaphorical reflection on literature's emotional impact on readers.

• The narrator grapples with this assertion about their work potentially spreading despair among readers; they initially find it alarming but later consider it as more subjective than objective critique of their writing style or content quality.

Reception and Critique

• Following publication, critics highlight "El nacimiento de Venus" not necessarily for its literary merit but rather for its unsettling emotional depth that resonates disturbingly with contemporary audiences—an indication of literature’s power to evoke strong feelings like hopelessness or despair.

• Despite mixed reviews regarding its thematic implications—some viewing it as subversive—the book achieves commercial success quickly selling out initial print runs due to its controversial nature among critics who perceive it as instilling existential dread in readers' minds.

The Impact of "El nacimiento de Venus" on Society

The Controversy Surrounding the Story

• The second edition of the story "El nacimiento de Venus" was suppressed due to a general rejection towards its narrative, which some believed did not add value to the book and could harm future sales.

• Many readers expressed concern about the story's dark themes, warning it posed a danger to the healthy spirit of contemporary society.

• The author noted a shift in reception from colleagues and media, indicating a firm rejection that contributed to disappointing sales for the second edition.

• Following months of depression, Elena left for Colombia without providing convincing reasons, leaving the author in solitude as he revisited his work.

• The author's reflections on urban decay highlight societal issues such as rising suicides and neglect of children amidst an environment where many have read his controversial story.

Literary Reflections and Influences

• The author discusses José Luis Velasco's previous works, noting his preference for psychological horror over traditional terror narratives.

• Velasco’s storytelling is characterized by slow-burning tension rather than overt horror elements, contributing to a unique literary style.

• There is an exploration of how writers can metaphorically end the world through their narratives, referencing influential texts like Abdul Alreded's Necronomicón.

• Caution is advised regarding "cursed books," with examples illustrating how certain literature has been linked to real-life tragedies involving violence and mental instability.

• A discussion on notorious figures who were influenced by literature highlights the potential dangers associated with powerful narratives.

Themes of Melancholy in Literature

• Both Velasco’s stories reflect profound sadness or depression that adds depth to their horror elements, making them more relatable and humanized despite exaggeration.

• Personal reflections reveal that deeply impactful books often evoke feelings of despair; examples include Pío Baroja's "El árbol de la ciencia" and George Orwell's "1984."

• An invitation for audience engagement encourages sharing personal experiences related to literature that inspired darker thoughts or actions.

Introduction to the Dark Tales

Setting the Scene

• The speaker expresses excitement about watching a show with popcorn and a drink, indicating a relaxed atmosphere.

• Acknowledges the audience as "dark creatures," setting a thematic tone for the discussion.

• The speaker pauses to reflect on an earlier statement regarding an author not previously featured in "Cuentos Oscuros" (Dark Tales).

Author Mention

• Clarifies that despite previous claims, the mentioned author has indeed been included in past discussions of dark tales.