Mai devi domandarmi

The 33 essays in this book, most of which were published during 1965-1970 in La Stampa, are the diary Natalia Ginzburg never wrote. The essays depict everyday life, its randomness and chaos. Through them she discusses her own self, her literary passions, the thoughts she has while listening to music, watching an opera or a comedy, reading a book or newspaper, or while observing her children and grandchildren. She touches upon subjects like the loneliness of childhood, the dreariness of old age, the belief and disbelief in god. These essays portray an extraordinary portrait of the author as shy, quiet and fragile, but also as determined and aware of the significance of words.

Mai devi domandarmi expresses the unique literary quality in Ginzburg's writing, which oscillates between autobiographical and testimonial.