Review of an Important Book

Mouches Volantes by Floco Tausin is powerful novel in which the narrator, under the illusion of restoring an antique desk, meets and is taught by a seer, Nestor. He gradually realizes that his growth is tied to the piece of furniture, which “is like a mirror: it reflects the energy of your ideas and concepts directly back to you” (27).

Initially one might be annoyed at the storyteller who seems so arrogant and reluctant to accept anything told to him by Nestor. Frustration with this slow-learning narrator, however, turns to understanding as we begin to see him as the embodiment of all of us who spend too much time denying the existence of, or our connection, to another world.

The story reminds me of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray in which a young man’s portrait progressively gets uglier and uglier as his evil ways in the world increase. Dorian Gray’s beauty, however, does not diminish as his picture, hidden in his attic, shows the immorality of his actions. In Tausin’s story, the antique becomes more and more beautiful during the slow restoration process, as the narrator comes closer and closer to understanding the other consciousness represented by his eye floaters.

We tend to see earth as a small picture and we are often content with this limited view, afraid of losing what we know. The struggle is not easy. Years pass in the novel as the narrator learns. This is an allegory to our lives, reminding us that connecting with another possibility is not a one-step, easy ride. It forces a personal commitment from the reader. I recommend the journey. But be sure to keep an open mind and allow yourself to see beyond this image we call our world.

My Mom died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s; she died peacefully under the care of Hospice.

She provided a strength, both physical and mental, to her family and community. She was a dedicated mother, an inspiring grandmother and a loving great-grandmother.

In her last years, even when she couldn’t talk, she could let us know what she wanted and would not put up with anything less than her demands. She continued to be strong and aware until the end.

She had an integrity. We always knew her opinions, which she was not afraid to share with family and friends. We knew what was right or wrong. We knew the right thing to do in most any occasion because she taught us, and she showed us in her own life. We knew how to act, and she would remind us, even in our adult years, if we didn’t remember. While we may not always have agreed with her, there was never a question what she thought. She made that clear.

I read a quote recently, “He won the bigger race; he stayed true to himself.” My Mom won, too, despite all that has happened to her throughout her 91 years. She won because she remained true to herself. That is the legacy she leaves her family; that is her final testament to life – that strength and integrity. That “voice in our head” to do what is right and to be true to ourselves.
While she may be gone, that “voice” will be with me always.