The Intimate Journey of Madness is, essentially, a celebration of life. Keep reading to learn all the details about this mischievous work, which marks the literary debut of composer Robe Iniesta.
A fantastic and original book by the new writer Roberto Iniesta, leader of the Rock Extremoduro band.
The intimate journey of madness
The Intimate Journey of Madness was published in 2009, and is the first novel written by the musical composer Roberto Iniesta. It is a daring, different, and certainly unique book.
At first glance, this work might disappoint the thousands of fans who expect to find the same vulgar elements as Robe's songs. However, the truth is that * El viaje íntimo de la locura* (The Intimate Journey of Madness) surpasses the limits of the author's creativity.
On the other hand, if you'd like to read another strange and original story, you absolutely must read: A Wrinkle in Time . An excellent work by the writer Meg Murry.
About The Intimate Journey of Madness
The Intimate Journey of Madness is a strange, original, and fantastical story that reveals the details of Don Severino's life. In this way, the reader is able to accompany him and observe the transformation he undergoes until he rediscovers himself.
Basically, the book contains two distinct parts. The first narrates the routine in the life of the protagonist of The Intimate Journey of Madness , while the second reveals his transformation.
Regarding this last aspect, it is important to mention that said transformation is the product of the liberation that Don Severino experiences with respect to the social ties that until then kept him away from life. In this way, at the end of the story we find a completely different character, basically, happier and more fulfilled.
On the other hand, with respect to the narrative used by the novel Robe Iniesta, there is also a notable difference in both parts of the book. Thus, at first the author expresses himself through a somewhat dark and cold language, which later changes to a warmer and full of light.
In this regard, it's worth noting that the second part of the book is easier to understand, perhaps because, from a literary standpoint, the work tends to be more natural. Some specialists have even gone so far as to suggest that it would have been preferable to maintain this single style throughout the entire narrative of * The Intimate Journey of Madness *.
Additionally, in the second part of The Intimate Journey of Madness , Robe Iniesta introduces new characters. These help shape Don Severino's new character, to the point of leading him to make peace with himself and with love.
Finally, The Intimate Journey of Madness has received excellent literary reviews, primarily for the romantic and humanist style that Robe Iniesta has imbued it with.
I invite you to watch the following video of the press presentation for the book *The Intimate Journey of Madness *. Who better than Roberto Iniesta himself to explain all the details? Don't miss this fantastic interview!
About Roberto Iniesta
Roberto Iniesta, also known as Robe, was born in Spain in 1962. Additionally, he is the one who writes the most popular songs of the Spanish Rock band, called Extremoduro.
Furthermore, he is known as one of the most successful songwriters in his genre. In such a way that his foray into the world of literature allows us to enter a story full of adventures; because we expect a whole waste of creativity from him.
Argument
Essentially, The Intimate Journey of Madness is a surreal story that initially depicts the dull life of an elderly notary. However, strange events soon begin to unfold, threatening to disrupt Don Severino's peace and sanity.
In this way, the protagonist of this novel begins to live a series of strange adventures, among which the flight from his house stands out, even with him inside. However, it is during this trip, which seems to have no end, that Don Severino begins to change the way he sees life.
In this regard, this first eventuality, together with everything that it entails, makes the protagonist of the novel suffer attacks of delirium and hallucinations. This, mainly, as a consequence of the loss of balance that for him means the breakdown of his daily routine.
Additionally, these episodes pose a real challenge to Don Severino's reasoning. For he must open his mind if he wants to understand the workings of time or if he wants to achieve happiness from a higher level.
Consequently, a true internal conflict begins to forge within him, to the point of leading him to rediscover himself. In this way, Don Severino begins to reconcile with the human side of him, while at the same time moving away from everything that ties him to social canons.
Finally, the main character of this story overcomes all his limitations and dares to be happy. He even leaves loneliness aside and begins a new experience in the company of whom he considers the love of his life.
Characters
The Intimate Journey of Madness is a novel that manages to capture the reader's attention without the presence of numerous characters. In fact, Don Severino can be considered the sole and main character of this incredible and strange story.
Don Severino
Don Severino is practically the only character in The Intimate Journey of Madness ; he is a serious and irreproachable man. Through him, the aspiring writer manages to express all his concern about how detrimental routine can be in a person's life.
Thus, the protagonist of The Intimate Journey of Madness is an elderly notary trapped in the tedium of the everyday. For him, there is no Today, nor any hope that Tomorrow will arrive; rather, everything in his life is reduced to Always.
In addition, he is a man with certain pathological symptoms, which he manages to progressively overcome with the help of other characters. Among them, the most important may be that of the environmental biologist with whom Don Severino falls madly in love.
In this regard, it is important to mention that the meeting between these two characters takes place when Don Severino's house lands in the jungle. At that moment, as he engages in a fight for nature, he realizes that this is where he belongs and happily lays the foundation for his new life.
Earthworm
This peculiar character appears from the beginning of the novel as a representation of the defeated and the socially excluded. Especially of those who have never been successful in the actions they undertake and much less recognition for it.
However, the earthworm is also a symbol of good humor, without neglecting its philosophical essence. It is through this facet that she manages to make clear her position on life, knowledge, information, instinct, among others.
nature as character
Another aspect that stands out within the creative style of Robe Iniesta is the mention of nature as an important element in the development of the story. In this way, the sun, the moon and the stars, and even the cherry tree, become through the metaphor one more of his atypical characters.
Regarding this last element: the cherry tree, it is an accurate description of what the author wants to reveal about the life of Don Severino. Thus, it is easy to understand that both are submerged in the world of apathy and despondency, waiting for one day to resurface.
Finally, the mere appearance of these peculiar characters is a reflection of the respect that the novel writer feels for nature. Thus, he manages to create an extraordinary climate of complicity between them and Don Severino, also giving the deserved recognition to each of the parties.
Fun facts
Robe Iniesta's music fans were the first to rush out and buy the debut novel by the aspiring writer. In fact, thanks to them, the first edition of * The Intimate Journey of Madness* sold out in a week.
Robe's fans expected to find the same vulgar language in the book that characterizes his songs. However, they were captivated by the stylized language of * The Intimate Journey of Madness *.
Roberto Iniesta began writing the novel The Intimate Journey of Madness in 2003, simply to enjoy himself and for readers to like it. He never intended for the book to be a literary success, as it actually became.