Jana Oliver
  • Home
  • About
  • Demon Trappers
    • Reading Order
    • Atlanta Demon Trappers Guild
    • Hellspawn Images
    • Demon Trappers Manual
    • TrapperCon
  • Other Books
    • Time Rovers >
      • Reviews
      • Research
      • Terminology
    • Single Titles
    • Dragonfire
  • Blog
  • Chandler Steele
  • Awards
  • Privacy Policy

That Library in Lost Souls

3/7/2022

 
Picture
When I include a location or a specific building in a story, I’ve usually spent time there. Such was the case with New Orleans (DEAD EASY and CAT’S PAW), Okefenokee Swamp (FORETOLD - DT #4 and KILLING GAME) and Edinburgh (GRAVE MATTERS - DT #5). Or most of London in the Time Rovers Series, including a fair amount of time in various pubs.
 
So when it came to a particular scene in LOST SOULS (Demon Trappers #8) I knew exactly where I wanted to set the exorcism, at least from the demon's point-of-view. Where would that be? The Biblioteca Joanina at the University of Coimbra here in Portugal. 


Picture

At the time my hubby and I visited the library (late 2019) I had no idea it would be written into one of my books, but obviously it made such a big impression that I just had to give it “page time”.
 
Portugal’s King John V ordered the library's construction in the early 18th century, and the interior is truly jaw dropping. It houses works from the 15th through the 19th centuries, many of them priceless. I attempted to describe what Simon and Katia are experiencing while inside that building, but it was really difficult to capture the majesty of it all.
 
I LOVE libraries, be they modern or ancient. But this one is currently my favorite because of the cathedral-like arches, the rich gold accents and the rows and rows of books. So much knowledge in one place.

And for me, one of the coolest things is that in the evenings the bats that live in the walls are turned loose to zoom around inside eating any bugs that might feast on the books. Come morning the bats return to their roosts. At that point  the heavy wood tables are uncovered, the floors cleaned, and the runners put in place for the next round of (non-flying) visitors. Since the walls are almost 7 feet thick (you read that right) and with all the wood inside, humidity is kept to a minimum to preserve the books. Given the age of many of those tomes, this care is vital. Apparently the library at Mafra (also Portugal) does the same thing. 


Here's a link to a video of the inside of the library. If you don’t speak Portuguese just mute the audio or turn on the Closed Captions (you can switch them to your preferred language). The English translation is pretty decent, but not spot on. Frankly, just looking at the interior was enough for me.
 
https://youtu.be/p_WQr-I-m_A
 
I plan another visit to the library sometime down the line. Hopefully you might get a chance to see the university and the town of Coimbra. It’s a grand place. If not, enjoy the video.
For more info on LOST SOULS, check out this page.

​Behold the mighty bug hunter.
Picture

Comments are closed.

    Jana Oliver

    is an international & multi award-winning author in various genres including young adult, urban fantasy and paranormal romance.

    Archives

    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    June 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    December 2016
    November 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All
    Book News
    Events
    Life & Times
    Newsletter
    Outtakes
    Stories

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
  • Demon Trappers
    • Reading Order
    • Atlanta Demon Trappers Guild
    • Hellspawn Images
    • Demon Trappers Manual
    • TrapperCon
  • Other Books
    • Time Rovers >
      • Reviews
      • Research
      • Terminology
    • Single Titles
    • Dragonfire
  • Blog
  • Chandler Steele
  • Awards
  • Privacy Policy