Luciana Palhares releases autofiction “To Understand a Love Story”

Luciana Palhares releases an autofiction exploring love, self-knowledge and transformation through fragments, letters and reflections.

Book explores emotions and inner journey

In “To Understand a Love Story”, writer and multidisciplinary artist Luciana Palhares delves into the intimate layers of emotional encounters and mismatches. Released independently, the book is written in fragments that blend short narratives, autobiographical essays and poetry, mirroring the fluidity of human emotions.

“Our experiences only define us if we allow them to,” she reflects. “Regardless of what happens to us, we can search for new ways of living and being.”

Autofiction as a tool for transformation

The project emerged from the author’s need to make sense of her own emotional history. “I grew up in an emotionally arid home, which is the opposite of my spontaneous and curious nature,” Luciana shares. “I spent years seeking attention and love in relationships with men until I finally made my way back to myself.”

The writing process unfolded over many years and became a transformative tool. “The Luciana who wrote this book no longer exists. I am someone else today, but I owe this current version of myself to that earlier one.”

Literary style and influences

Influenced by authors such as Milan Kundera, Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin, Luciana builds a syncopated, confessional prose, almost like an open diary. “For me, autofiction is a natural mechanism, a tool for psychic survival,” she explains.

The cover, featuring a photo of the author in her twenties, symbolizes reconciliation with the past. “Publishing my books is a way of affirming my existence. I hid for many years; now I want to be seen, read, heard.”

A multidimensional path and future plans

Alongside writing, Luciana has built a diverse artistic path that includes acting, holistic therapies and work as a life model in Barcelona, where she currently lives. Her upcoming projects include two poetry books — one in Portuguese and another in English — as well as therapeutic writing mentorships.