Charles Reis Felix facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Reis Felix
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | April 29, 1923 New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | January 25, 2017 (aged 93) Palo Alto, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Stanford University University of Michigan |
| Genre | Fiction, memoir |
Charles Reis Felix (April 29, 1923 – January 25, 2017) was an American writer. He was known for his stories about Luso-American experiences. These are stories about people in America who have Portuguese roots.
Contents
Who Was Charles Reis Felix?
Charles Reis Felix was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He was one of four children. His parents had moved to America from Portugal. His birth name was "Carlos," which is Portuguese. But everyone called him "Charley" when he was a kid.
His Early Life and Education
Charley grew up during a tough time called the Great Depression. This was when many people didn't have jobs or much money. He finished New Bedford High School in 1941. After high school, he studied at the University of Michigan. He was there from 1941 to 1943. Then, he joined the U.S. Army.
After World War II, Felix went back to college. He earned a degree in History from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. He then became an elementary school teacher. He taught for 31 years. He would visit his family in Massachusetts sometimes.
A Teacher and Writer
Charles Reis Felix wrote stories that mixed his own life, history, and made-up parts. His books showed what it was like to be human.
Stories from His Books
His first book was Crossing the Sauer. It told the story of his three months as a soldier in 1945. This was during World War II. A famous writer named Paul Fussell said it was "one of the most honest, unforgettable memoirs of the war."
His second book, Through a Portagee Gate, came out in 2004. This book was about his childhood in New Bedford. It also described his relationship with his father, Jose, or "Joe" Felix. Many people with Portuguese backgrounds in the U.S. felt they could relate to this story. In fact, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth even turned his book into a play in 2006. Charles Felix was very happy about it!
Felix's third book was Da Gama, Cary Grant, and the Election of 1934. This book was about local politics in New Bedford, Massachusetts. It showed how different groups of people lived in the city. The book talked about a Portuguese-American person running for local office. He tried to win against the person who was already in charge.
His last published book was Tony: A New England Boyhood.
You can find Charles Reis Felix's original writings and personal papers. They are kept at The Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese American Archives at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
About His Life
Charles Felix lived with his wife, Barbara, in a cabin. Their home was among the tall redwood trees in Northern California. They had two children. He passed away in January 2017. He was 93 years old.
His Published Works
- Crossing the Sauer: A memoir of World War II (2002)
- Through a Portagee Gate (2004)
- Da Gama, Cary Grant, and the Election of 1934 (2005)
- Tony: A New England Boyhood (2008)
Translated Books
- Vasco da Gama, Cary Grant e as Eleições de 1934. This is a translation of Da Gama, Cary Grant, and the Election of 1934. It was edited and translated by Rui Zink and Emília Madureira. It came out in 2011.
