Walter Bonaparte Junior (photo) was born into a Spiritist family in the Brazilian city of Campinas and has, since 1995, lived in Pindamonhangaba, also in the state of São Paulo. He is a member of the Eurípedes Barsanulfo Spiritist Centre, involved in the management of the group and in Gospel studies. He is also a medical doctor and surgeon specialised in neurology.  

In the following interview, he speaks about his novel, ALMAS: Amor e evolução espiritual na Patagônia (Souls: Love and Spiritual Development in Patagonia).

How did you come up with the idea of writing this novel?

The idea of the book came up as I began working on my mediunimic faculties and started to write, guided by intuition. The first chapter came out naturally and effortlessly and I couldn’t imagine then that it would be the beginning of a beautiful story, with well-structured characters spanning along three generations.

How did you feel the story and the ideas building up as you wrote the book?

The story came out initially very strong, in the first chapter. Then I realised that was only the beginning of a longer story. I began to nourish stronger links with the Spiritual mentor in charge of the story. And from then on, every time he produced a new group of ideas, I spent time studying the matter, in order to be able to give the story the proper historic input.

Tell us more about the novel and its historic aspect.

The story begins in 1865 and develops most of the time in a region I had never visited, Argentine Patagonia. I was really amazed by the detailed description of places, ways of life, the geography and habits of people I never spent time with (at least not in this incarnation).

What have you learned from that experience about the challenges faced by migrants?

The main issue I would highlight was the role played by incarnate spirits who are prompted to move to another location on the planet, either by catastrophes, wars or simply the search for a better life. I have reflected a great deal on that matter, of how families move so far away from their homeland and settle down in places with a completely different culture. What is the impact of those human migrations and what is the real motivation for such journeys from a spiritual perspective?

The challenges faced by the people in those days as well as the developments from their arrival in a different country give the book a unique feel. What would you like to say about that?

The problems faced by the group seem to strengthen their determination to win in the end. The family who is looking for a place to settle down is seeking, in fact, something similar to what they already know, but in a land where they won’t have to live under the tyranny of an oppressive society. We must bear in mind the limitations faced by the population in the second half of the 19^th Century, where there was no electric light, steam engine (they crossed the ocean on a sailing boat!), no telephone, penicillin and so many other developments that would appear in the following decades.

What is the role of Spiritism in the book?

The couple who is described at the beginning of the story has a Celtic background. They are, therefore, very open to spiritual ideas. Spiritism appears in thoughts they have along their lives. They eventually realise the need to introduce the principle of reincarnation in their society. The children in that community are brought up according to the principles of primitive Christianity and Spiritism is embraced naturally by the new generations. They even found a Spiritist Centre in freezing Patagonia, which at the time was still inhabited by indigenous people and Protestant immigrants.

Has the book been translated to other languages?

Yes. As the story develops most of the time in Argentina, we have made an effort and managed to translate and publish the book in Spanish even before publishing it in Brazil. I took part in a Welsh cultural festival in Paragonia in April 2019, where the book was formally launched. Almost 50 books were despatched to Spiritist Centres across Argentina. The Spiritual mentor said that one of the main goals of this book would be to encourage the awakening of latent spirituality among the Welsh community in Argentina. Their ancestors were once important spiritual leaders. It is important to bear in mind that Allan Kardec adopted this druid name in a previous incarnation. He was a druid leader and an important figure in Celtic society.

What else would you like to highlight from the book and your experience in Patagonia?

One of the highlights for me was the trip I made to the area where the story developed. After writing the book for six months, it was really an unforgettable experience to visit the area where the fictitious characters settled down and, with the help of their spiritual guides, decided that Jesus and Kardec would be in charge. I would like to remind the readers that the book was written with the guidance of a spiritual mentor, who only introduced himself at the end of the work. He was the reverend George Owen, an English religious men who became an enthusiastic Spiritist and follower of Kardec in the beginning of the 20^th Century after receiving messages from his mother in the Spirit World. For that, he was eventually expelled from the Church of England.

Where can readers buy the book?

It was published by Editora Saramago in Rio de Janeiro and it can be bought from several Brazilian websites, including "Estante Virtual". You may also contact me on WhatsApp 12 99100-9001 or e-mail walterbonaparte@gmail.com.