Vicenç Villatoro

This summer I had two definite plans. One is a trip that was useful for both leisure and for work. During the first two weeks of August I took a flight to the Ionic Islands. I spent most of the time on Corfu, where I did research and gathered stories for my next novel, which will be focussed on the Jewish community on those islands bathed by the Ionic Sea. As well as working and writing, I had time to go to the beach and swim in those magnificent waters. In the second half of the month, following a family tradition that has emerged in the last few years, we rented a country house in Terra Alta, near Horta de Sant Joan, where we spent a few days with the family enjoying a region that we like a lot. I also took advantage of the summer to write; pressing on with the book I’m writing and doing research for future projects during my free moments. Because writing is both my hobby and my job, my summer was basically revolve around it. I’m also read and reread books that are part of the research for the book I’m going to write. One of the many books that I wanted to re-explore was a trilogy of memoirs by Elias Canetti called “The Tongue Set Free”, as well as books by the Jewish author Albert Cohen, who was born on Corfu and was a member of the island’s Jewish community. I’m especially interested in “Nailcruncher” and his memoirs. They helped me to understand the essential aspects of his life and that of the island’s Jewish community.