Iolanda Cândido (translator)

(4)

A book eater

My love for horses was my first passion, but, curiously, my most vivid memories revolve around books and puzzles. Despite my fascination with horses leading me to pursue veterinary medicine, I always had a book—often unrelated to the subject—by my side.

As a child, I devoured comics like Monica’s Gang, DuckTales, and many others. These stories sparked my desire to read more. When I was about nine, the first book I picked up from my new school’s library was The Phantom of the Opera. That moment ignited my love for musicals, opera, and theater.

At eleven, I entered a military school, where I practically devoured the library. I read classics like Wuthering Heights, David Copperfield, and The Picture of Dorian Gray. It was there that I discovered universities dedicated to language studies, which led me to consider learning German at one college while pursuing veterinary medicine at another. I never abandoned my dream of becoming a veterinarian, but I also wanted to learn as many languages as possible.

In 2006, I enrolled in a German language program with the goal of becoming a legal translator or linguist. During that time, I also studied Latin, a bit of Italian, and Greek. Unfortunately, due to lack of practice, I don’t remember much of these languages now. That same year, I discovered my love for the cello and learned to play, opening the door to the language of music. Alongside that, I became fascinated by composers' biographies and music textbooks.

I eventually pursued and completed my veterinary degree, working in the field for four years. However, over time, I felt the pull of what had always been at my core—the attraction to reading, uncovering different stories, exploring diverse perspectives, and working with historical records. This realization led me to pursue a second degree in Archival Science, where I found a deep connection with historical documents, preservation, and research. Transitioning from veterinary medicine to archival work allowed me to combine my analytical skills with my passion for history and storytelling.

My favorite author is Jane Austen. I don’t recall exactly when my admiration for her began, but after reading Pride and Prejudice, I fell in love with her works. Every time I visit my parents' home, I take one or two of her books with me. My second favorite is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle—I own the complete Sherlock Holmes collection.

One of my lifelong dreams is to have my own personal library filled with fiction, romance, thrillers, fantasy, history, and many other genres. Currently, my collection holds around 150 books, and it continues to grow.

Once a book lover, always a book lover.

Native language: Portuguese
Translates from: English
Translates into: Portuguese


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