The Biblical Epigraphs 

Murilo Rubião considered himself an agnostic. However, he would read the Bible as often as he would reread Machado de Assis. “Sometimes, thinking of making a certain story, I immediately find the corresponding epigraph in the Bible. This is due to excessive reading, or rereading.” At the beginning of his narratives are verses largely drawn from the Old Testament and Revelation, in particular from the Song of Songs, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and Job books. But what does the writer imply when approaching the mythical past and fictional time? Were Rubian stories skeptical parables about the contemporary world? There is no definitive answer, for as the author said, “I do not have a concern for a moral value of the story. I always leave things open.” Therefore, we leave you, reader, the invitation to think about whether the stories by Rubião begin, end or rewrite the epigraphs.