Noise: Collection of Short Stories and Poems Set in Rio De Janeiro

By Alessandra Raed

Noise is a collection of short stories and poems set in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro in the southeast of Brazil. The suburbs chosen to be the setting for the stories and poems in this book have something significant about them that makes it right for the story. Not every suburb is displayed in the book—only the ones I have spent most of my childhood, my teenage years, and some years of my adulthood before migrating to Australia in 2008.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Sep 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781664100367

Alessandra Raed

Alessandra Raed is a Brazilian journalist, creative writer, actress, director and drama teacher. She lives in Australia with her daughter Isabella who was the inspiration for Alessandra’s first published kids book Naughty Nana in 2016 (1st ed). She has published its sequel Naughty Nana and the old House around the corner in 2019 (1st ed), and a third book Noise – a collections of short stories and poems set in Rio de Janeiro also in 2019 (1st ed). Papers: Essays and Articles in Drama and Literature is Alessandra’s fourth published book. Back in Brazil, in early 2000, Alessandra completed Degrees in Journalism and Theatre Studies. In 2017, Alessandra completed Associate Degree of Creative Writing via Southern Cross University, Australia. She is on her way to completing Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education in 2021 with majors in Drama and English. Alessandra is the founder and director of Starlettes Dance Theatre Australia that offers drama classes, rehearsals, and stage productions in the Far North area of New South Wales. In creative writing, Alessandra won third prize in 2016 Fusion Poetry Competition at Australia Southern Cross University with her poem ‘Hummus and Herbs’ about family of immigrants, and won second prize with the same poem at Wilda Morris Poetry Challenge 2017. Her creative writing works have appeared on the American literary magazines, Anti-Heroin Chic, The Borfski Press, Basil O’Flaherty, Academy of the Heart and Mind, Tiny Spoon, Event Horizon and Comstock Review. In India, she has poems published on the OPA Anthology of Contemporary Women’s Poetry. In Australia, her works have appeared on Northerly Magazine. Some of her published works found online are under her previous married name Salisbury.

Book preview

Copyright © 2020 by Alessandra Raed. 817933

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in

any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without

permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Xlibris

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ISBN:     Softcover   978-1-6641-0037-4

                EBook      978-1-6641-0036-7

Rev. date: 08/25/2020

CONTENTS

Introduction

A little history of Rio

The Return :(Ipanema – South of Rio - 1990)

Bleeding flowers :(Cinelandia – Centre of Rio – 1968)

The Death of the Director :(Santa Tereza – Centre of Rio)

The Casino of Love :(Urca – South of Rio – 1920)

Duet dialogue :(Cinelandia – Teatro Odeon – Centre of Rio)

Last letter from Leblon :(Leblon – South of Rio – late 90s)

Confessions of a prostitute :(Copacabana – South of Rio)

The Beast :(Lapa – Centre of Rio)

The Grand Phantom :(Cinelandia – Teatro Municipal - Centro of Rio)

The Setup :(Guaratiba – Southwest of Rio – 1980s – inspired by an old folk tale)

The evil weather :(Arpoador – South of Rio)

At Joaquina Bar :(Leme – South of Rio)

Generosity :(Sao Conrado – South West of Rio)

At Twilight :(Tijuca – North of Rio)

The Hill :(Vidigal – South of Rio)

Before :(Jacarepagua – West of Rio)

Eccentric theatre :(Jardim Botanico – South of Rio)

Here, help yourself :(Botafogo – South of Rio)

Illusion :(Barra da Tijuca – South West of Rio)

The empty boat :(Recreio – Southwest of Rio)

Thinking of you :(Ipanema – South of Rio)

Going Home :(Gloria – Centre of Rio – 1930s)

Church :(Carioca – Centre of Rio)

Safe Haven :(Catete – Centre of Rio)

Rio 40 Graus :(A non-fiction piece to celebrate the city)

Rio

Grandma’s house :(Tijuca – North of Rio)

Hummus and Herbs :(Alessandra Salisbury’s third prize winning poem at Fusion Poetry Competition at Southern Cross University – Australia - 2016)

INTRODUCTION

Noise is a collection of short stories and poems set in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, in the South East of Brazil. The suburbs chosen to be the scenario for the stories and poems in this book have something significant about them that makes it right for the story. Not every suburb is displayed in the book, but the ones I have spent most of my childhood, my teenage years, and some years of my adulthood before migrating to Australia in 2008.

Noise is a work of fiction. It is not based on or linked to my personal life in any way. Creative writers tend to connect their hearts to the stories they write. But when they are set to write fiction, stories are created from their imagination. Simple as that.

The photographs used in this book were taken by my father Gustavo Raed who lives in Rio de Janeiro and by myself when we were visiting the city. The photographs give a sense of imagery to the stories.

A LITTLE HISTORY OF RIO

Rio de Janeiro is an electrifying seaside city of Brazil, famous for its 38m Christ the Redeemer statue on the top of Corcovado Mountain, for Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, and for the Sugarloaf Mountain, with cable cars travelling to its hilltop. The city is also known for the Carnaval, the most exciting annual festival that exhibits parade floats, musicians and samba dancers dressed in flamboyant costumes.

Rio de Janeiro has been one of Brazil’s most popular tourist destinations for decades. It