In “Louca normalidade”, Plácido Berci turns grief and memory into literature; he discusses these themes at a free event during Flipoços 2026.
Writer and journalist Plácido Berci joins the Flipoços 2026 International Literary Festival with the panel “Memory, Aging, and Writing”, scheduled for April 29 at 5:30 p.m. The talk takes place at Chocolateria Lascaux, in Poços de Caldas, with moderator Henrique Rodrigues. Admission is free.
Published by Editora Mondru in 2025, the novel “Louca normalidade” dives deep into mental health, time, and family bonds. It tells the story of Francisco Solano, a retired investigative journalist who, after suffering a stroke, writes obsessively to preserve his memory.
Through fragmented notes and haunting recollections, Francisco struggles to distinguish between reality and imagination. The narrative switches between third-person perspective and the protagonist’s notebooks, immersing the reader in his fragile mental landscape.
“My goal was to raise reflection on prejudice against people who are seen as outside the norm because of mental health issues,” says Plácido.
Inspired by his late father, Pedro Berci Filho, Plácido started writing in 2018 after observing his father’s habit of documenting everything following a stroke. The loss added emotional depth to the book, making it an exercise in mourning and healing.
Influenced by Hitchcock and Scorsese, and by Brazilian writers Daniel Galera and Raphael Montes, “Louca normalidade” blends psychological suspense with reflections on grief, solitude, and the brevity of life. Its vivid scenes depict a collapsing Rio de Janeiro, evoking the confusion of memory itself.
Plácido Berci, 36, is a sports reporter for TV Globo and the author of “Paixão: uma viagem pelo futebol inglês” and “Nuvem de terra”. “Louca normalidade” marks his fiction debut and has already attracted interest for film adaptations.
Event Info
- Panel: “Memory, Aging, and Writing” – Flipoços 2026
- Date: April 29
- Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Venue: Chocolateria Lascaux (Praça Getúlio Vargas – Centro)
- Admission: Free
