The TRANS(FORMATION) OF LIVING BEINGS IN BUGÔNIA, BY DANIEL GALERA

Abstract

This article presents an ecocritical reading of the science fiction story Bugônias (2022), written by Daniel Galera. An updated critical contribution was mobilized to analyze the participation of different living beings in the narrative, highlighting inter and intra-species alliances, especially the one between humans and bees, which appears in an insolit manner in the story. Regarding this, we draw attention to how animals’ representations deviate from the canonical by granting agency to non-humans. We also emphasize the importance given to the issue of the present time and the constant transformations in alliances and beings, especially after the fall of the alien astronaut. In this aspect, the journey of the main character, Chama, will be considered from the perspective of coming-of-age narratives since it possesses typical characteristics of these novels, but alters some of the logic present in the traditional Bildungsroman novel, especially regarding female participation. It is considered that, rather than adapting to the society around her, Chama's metamorphosis alters the entire community. Finally, it is argued that the Organism also takes part in a formative process, transforming itself into a sympoetic system.