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Four Seasons in Rome: On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World

This memoir combines the author's reflections on the four seasons in Rome with personal anecdotes and observations about life, twins, insomnia, and the city's rich history. The book offers a unique perspective on the Eternal City and its impact on the author's life. more

Author

Anthony Doerr
Anthony Doerr

Anthony Doerr is an American author of novels known for his delicate narrative and profound character development. His works often explore themes of history, memory, and human experience. Born on October 27, 1973, Doerr graduated from Yale University. His career began with writing short stories for The New Yorker, which later led to his long-form novel writing. more

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“Hey. What did you do to your - I mean, you look different." My cheeks go immediately hot. Not that your average onlooker can tell, given all the makeup I'm wearing. "Frankie and I were just messing around this morning." "Oh," he says, tying the paper from his straw into little knots. "It looks nice, I mean. I just can't see you, that's all." I make a mental note to ditch the makeup tomorrow. Then I get mad at myself for letting some boy that I just met dictate what I do with my own face. Then I get mad at myself for getting mad at myself and remember that I, too, prefer the natural look.”

“This was the greatest gift that he had, the talent that fitted him for war; that ability not to ignore but to despise whatever bad ending there could be. This quality was destroyed by too much responsibility for others or the necessity of undertaking something ill planned or badly conceived. For in such things the bad ending, failure, could not be ignored. It was not simply a possibility of harm to one's self, which could be ignored. He knew he himself was nothing, and he knew death was nothing. He knew that truly, as truly as he knew anything. In the last few days he had learned that he himself, with another person, could be everything. But inside himself he knew that this was the exception. That we have had, he thought. In that I have been most fortunate. That was given to me, perhaps, because I never asked for it. That cannot be taken away nor lost. But that is over and done with now on this morning and what there is to do now is our work.”

“All I'm saying is I think you deserve better,” Case said. “From my point of view, anyway. You deserve better.” I threw my head back on the sofa and laughed. It was a harsh laugh with no mirth. “Most of the time, I don't think I deserve better.” “Everyone deserves better.” “Not me.” I didn't look at him. “No one else would want me. I've royally fucked up. Everything. There isn't anything better out there. Anything or anyone.” “Yeah, there is.” “Oh, really?” I brought my eyes back to him. “And where exactly would I find better?” It was quiet for a moment. Then he said,“Well, you might start with me.”