“Since the journey is a metaphor - the most ambiguous and seductive of metaphors, we tell ourselves - it can also be born of immobility. There is no need to drag our bodies around so much, all dressed up. It's hot, there are flies, diseases. It is enough to close our eyes, seated on a chair in the shade, to float on the waves of imagination. Isn't that what books are there for?”
This novel explores the life of a silent duchess during the Renaissance period in Italy, offering a glimpse into the social and political dynamics of the era. more
Dacia Maraini is an Italian writer born on November 13, 1936. Her works span various literary forms including novels, plays, poetry, and prose, known for their profound social insight and exploration of women's fates. more
“And how to paint your lovely hands, fluttering over the silks like two dark birds?”
“But Time is a great traitor who teaches us to accept loss.”