Closing Words

Dear Reader,

I tip my hat to whatever god you believe in. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for following our three bloggers on their turbulent ride — your dedication to this tale does not go unappreciated.

That is the tale, threaded with sadness and extremities that are somewhat intriguing as it emerges from three pathological cases where identity can be seen to disintegrate. No sooner have you realised that nothing is all as it seems that the masks our lead characters don are every bit as intricate and disingenuous?

I need to acknowledge the flaws you found in these pages. So do the mistakes and discrepancies — they're not a misprision; they are what make up this story. They reflect the fractured realities of our characters–the fallibility of memory and the fine line between reality and fiction.

First, a revelation that bridges the gap: The three blogs you read about are real. They live locked away on Blogger, unspoken monuments to dedication and love. Back in 2009, I took on a really big venture—turning what began as a TV treatise into an active, modern digital narrative.

It took some effort. I could not take a break from it for months, and Flavio, Mario, and Simona's trips around Italy and the world were mine.

In the hope that you will see an extra layer of sacrifice woven into and let even deeper, please read more about what went on behind the curtain.

Maybe you did not find the story worthy, but I hope it could make you recognise the bit of heart and hard work put into its making. Beyond the words on a page, this book exemplifies how storytelling can be extended across mediums and bridged between digital and tangible. Remember, we are talking of 2009 here.

I offer this as a goodbye at the end of this book: Let this story percolate in your mind, debating what makes up an identity and the stories we shape for ourselves and others.

Again, thank you for taking this journey with me and for your time, attention, and willingness to dive into this long story.

With sincere gratitude,

Luigi P.