Daytripper

Benedito is the father of Brás de Olivas Domingos. He is an acclaimed writer and Brás’s role model in both career and actions. Benedito is somewhat elusive, often speaking in aphorisms or lost in his own thoughts. Brás often expresses regret that he cannot reach his father emotionally. The reader is also given hints of Benedito’s flaws when his child out of wedlock tries to connect with Brás after his death. Benedito is often illustrated with, or near, a typewriter and a cigarette. Throughout the book, Benedito reminds his son to live in the present and hold on to the beautiful moments of love in his life, as those are what give life meaning. Benedito dies the same day his grandson, Miguel, is born, but his words live on in a final letter that Brás does not receive until he is 76 years old.

Aurora is the mother of Brás de Olivas Domingos. They have a positive relationship. Brás sees her as a backbone of the family, particularly when they visit her extended family’s ranch. She calls Brás her “little miracle” because she gave birth to him during a citywide blackout, and the power was only restored once he was born. Much of the language around lightness and darkness initially comes from her. Brás, Ana, and Miguel live close to her house and often visit her.

Jorge is Brás’s best friend from his university years. In addition to traveling the country together, they also work in journalism together as adults. Jorge is a photojournalist, and a person of color, who is often jovial. He tends to lovingly put Brás in his place. In his thirties, Jorge narrowly avoids boarding a plane that explodes, and this near-death experience causes him to run away. In a surreal encounter, Brás tries to find Jorge after he disappears in a tourist beach town, only to find him suffering and no longer in his right mind, trying to kill both himself and Brás with a knife. He serves as a foil for Brás after the plane crash due to his inability to process his trauma.

Olinda is Brás’s first love and girlfriend of seven years. Moon and Bá illustrate her in a similar style to Iemanjá, goddess of the ocean—a siren-like beauty who threatens to distract Brás from his life’s true purpose. They meet in her home city of Salvador when Brás travels there with Jorge. We do not see much of their relationship beyond their first meeting. She expresses the desire to one day become a musician but grows aimless and unhappy towards the end of their relationship. Brás is completely crushed by their break-up.

Brás’s wife’s name is Ana. He first meets her at a cafe when they lock eyes across the room. He runs after her to try and talk to her, but he is subsequently hit by a car. The book doesn’t show much of their courtship, but it does reveal that she and Brás have a passionate and loving marriage. She gives birth to their son, Miguel, and also holds an office job. She loves the notes that Brás writes to her throughout their time together. When Brás decides to forego further cancer treatment in the book’s final chapter, she silently accepts his decision.