64 Comments
founding

Hanif, the cause of these pieces is horrific but the writing is extraordinary and compelling. It's great to have the entries here in this new way of communicating but I am an old-fashioned enough to hope that they must surely become a handsome Faber hardback in time.

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Hanif, if you understand the horror of italians when someone ask for a capuccino after 12 am, YOU ARE ITALIAN already: Benvenuto!

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I love reading your daily entries. You are a marvel. An evolving Italian marvel. X

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Me being notified about your newsletter is one of the best moments in my day. Thank you for sharing your healing journey with us. I send you much love and support.

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I can’t believe we are actually reading this in real time. I am so convinced we are being “punked.” That this is a brilliant piece of fiction broken down into daily missives to trick us into believing someone could be this eloquent, this insightful and moving all whilst simultaneously going through a literal hell of a recovery from a freak accident.

I can’t express the admiration, gratitude and love I feel for you - a complete stranger. Your endless generosity of spirit, humor and profound intellect astound me. How is it that I can feel as if I am personally growing and changing as a result of a stranger’s experience?

All I keep wanting to say to you is thank you. You are a gift out of the blue. Thank you. Bonne courage, as the French say. More power to you, friend. I await the next missive with hope for your continued progress and healing.

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You are floating us all with your extraordinary high tide of eloquence. Amazing. Thank you.

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Yay. Wisdom Gift #1. Live it Italy. So THAT’s good.

If I were in the hospital, and now that you need to take a Breaking Bad break (3rd time is also amazing) I’d want some little reaponsive tidbits - so here is one.

I was married to a French man. After dinner in a French restaurant, I ordered, in my best polite, correct French, a Cafe au Lait.

The waiter came back with an espresso.

I summoned up the gall to ask him again, expressing, in my best modulated tone, that there had been some mistake, and, of course, the mistake had been mine. My husband said to me, “There was no mistake. He won’t bring it to you”. When I asked him why, he said simply, “It would be wrong.”

The worst faux pax ever? Or was it the time that, at a fancy party, I pronounced the G in Gstadt. “The G is slient”, I was quietly told.

That’s the tidbit for today! Start learning Italian! I challenge all your friends and unknown friends here to learn with you!

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After lurking for several days, and worrying about your spirits last night, today I had to subscribe. I was an ICU nurse for many years, and never have I heard the human-carrying machine called such … in the States we boringly called it a hoyer. Your term is better and more accurate, and may you feel like Peter Pan when in its hold. Cheers to rehab and feeling your parts wake a bit! Day by day by day, with some better than others, you will prevail. - Allegra

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Thank you Carlo, for doing this for your Father and in turn for us readers, he has a beautiful voice.

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Today it's clear you are better in body and spirit, especially the mention of Proust is a 'tell.' I'd guess that in your current state, time has indeed become as Proustian as the first pages of Swann's Way. Gladdened by what seems like daily progress, even though to you it probably feels glacial.

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Dear Fellow Writer, dear Hanif,

I am writing from Albuquerque. Moved here in 2016. I always say if I had watched « Breaking Bad » I would not have moved here. Still haven’t watched it, but after your report, I might. The series was filmed in my neighborhood. Jessie’s house is three blocks away. I was quite happy to read about your very good day. Bravo.

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Dear Hanif, you don't know me. I've been an admirer of your work from the start. I think we met briefly once, I'm a friend of your French translator, Geraldine. I've been following your newsletter, it feels like a tiny act of support from afar. I pray for you to the god-I-do-not-believe-in and hope with all my heart that you make a good recovery. It sounds as though you are in excellent hands. I'm moved by your self-deprecating humour under such circumstances, and by your honesty. Thank you for writing to us.

Ros Schwartz

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I think I want to try jam on pasta. Why not?

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Hi Hanif. Greetings from Ireland. I’m so delighted you had a better day. The journey ahead maybe long but the destination is a hopeful one. It’s interesting how you’re discovering Italian language and culture. It reminds me of Jhumpa Lahiri; perhaps in a year or two you will write novels in Italian?

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I was at a wedding outside of Paris. The bride was American, the groom French. The day after the wedding, there was a luncheon for close friends and family in the groom’s parent’s garden. At one point, a friend of the groom’s mother discretely tells her, “The Americans are asking for coffee.” The mother replies, “But it isn’t time for coffee.” “Evidently,” the friend continues, “Americans drink coffee all day long.” “Well, then let’s make coffee.”

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This post inspired the hell out of me.

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