THE JOURNEY
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Prefazione The Journey is my third book, born from a story that touched me deeply. Some of my readers might ask what happened to my second novel, considering that nobody has ever heard anything about it. However, everything has its own moment in time. The Journey represents a unique, unequal experience for me. One so intense that it forced me to break off from writing the second novel in order to immediately tell this story, that I have been emotionally involved in. I wanted to express the feelings of a man who, in order to defend his own dignity, made a very courageous, while completely coherent decision. You will read the story of a quite particular journey, which lasted only two days. It reports in detail not only the events, but also the emotions, without getting trapped in resentment for anything or anyone. Also, the story doesn’t presume to offer new expectations, nor remove hope from those who find themselves fighting against the harshest reality. It is a simple account that glides towards a peaceful end with an epilogue/climax that I would permit myself to define as glorious.
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From the book
We relax for a bit. I want to enjoy these last moments. Give me a little break. Yes, my dear A.L.S. I’m talking to you. You, for me, are the lowest of the low! So, damn you, you’re not going to run this show any more. I’m letting you know that I’m coming to get you! For me, you’re just a means, a vehicle. You’re so despicable that you hide behind the humiliation and suffering. You’re so despicable that you hide behind the humiliation and suffering. You, on your own, you’re nothing. Without a stupid body to carry you, you have no sense, no meaning. But I, today, am going to give a lovely assignment to my friend “death”. Yes, death has become my ally to finally separate me from you and give me back what you stole from me. The dignity of being human. “Sure, little miserable nothing, today I let myself terminate you and make you give up that damned role in which you stupidly believe in. I, on the other hand, despite your efforts, have already understood the true meaning of life! I’m over you!”
Review I've recently finished to read the book that you very kindly gave to me in Amsterdam. You asked a general and technical review about the book and, more specifically, about the translation. First, I must say, the book tells a very interesting and emotional story, and I was really involved in it. About the technical details, I assume that the format and font (wide margins and big font) were designed for a specific audience, so it's fine. The translation, however, was a bit slippery. Some sentences were constructed in ways that made clear it was a translation and not the original language, so it sounded a bit unconventional. I found some typos as well. All in all, I think it's a very interesting and compelling book and the narrative involves the reader throughout the journey to Switzerland. I'm sure the issues I've mentioned earlier could be solved with a careful revision!Marcos Andrade Neves It is a 'nice' book (if this is the right word for such a story) and easily reading. The translation seems OK (well done!) to me (being a Dutchman), at least sufficient for everyone reading English to completely understand the story: moving but also 'lively' and not without bits of humour! I can imagine this story has got a lot of attention in Italy. I have also published about the meeting (and invitation for WF members) on the WF website. Wish you all the best and success! Rob Jonquiere I read the book and have written a review in English, which I enclose. But perhaps I misunderstood you. I thought you wanted an ordinary book review, not what you call a technical review. English is not my mother tongue, and I do not feel qualified to judge whether the translation is good or not. I did find a couple of mistakes or odd expressions, but on the whole I think it is OK. My book The last freedom has been quite successful, and "normal" people just love it and agree with me. But our politicians are blind and deaf on this question. Inga-Lisa Sangregorio To: Dr Emilio Coveri Il Presidente, EXIT - Italia From: Jeanne Arthur President, Dying with Dignity ACT, Australia The Journey by Marco Longhi Review by Jeanne Arthur A man perceives the world from a distance. A funeral is occurring. He is curious to know who has died and what is going on. Why is his wife Francesca crying for example? The novel then relates the physical and psychological journey undertaken by Andrea (the man) to explain the events in the first scene. He is dying and he has decided to die at a time of his choosing with the help of a doctor in Switzerland. The journey from Italy to Switzerland by car is difficult and painful because Andrea is very ill. He suffers physical discomforts and a strong sense of indignity as well as anger when his perfectly logical decision is repeatedly questioned by the Swiss organization he has sought help from. Marco Longhi has created the internal world of a man who is dying up to the point where his mind no longer functions. The novel has a properly otherworldly feeling about it because Andrea is going on the journey into non -thinking that faces us all. Longhi has written a complex book about a topical subject which is let down by typographical errors in the translation. With these errors corrected the book would make an empathetic piece of literature that should help everyone to have more insight into the experience of dying and the stupidity of the current limitations of thinking around giving assistance to die. |
