Thank you, Martino! Seeing you here reminds me that I need to catch up with your beautiful writing. I'm so far behind. Murakami is indeed a big inspiration, a master to follow. I recently learned that there are many Murakamis in Japan, and some of them are established writers. This is apparently due to the fact that there are only about 100,000 last names in Japan, so they repeat over and over. So, Silvio Murakami would not even be that far-fetched LOL.
Something like that lol. One of my best friends has lived in Japan for more than 30 years, and this is how he always mocks my name: by adding the sound of a vowel between the L and the V, turning the L into the sound of an R, and the V into the sound of a B. Complicated!
About an hour ago, I was on the NYC subway coming home from work, reading Murakami's First Person Singular short stories and then read this at home a few minutes and also felt the Murakami -like style. This was a great letter! I recently found your page and it's already a favorite of mine.
Bravo, Silvio. What a magical recounting of bitter-sweet memories, esp. loved that line "You can feel someone’s presence long after they’re gone; until, abruptly, you no longer can."
The recounting, the little notes, the transition from real to surreal, captivating! I esp. like the tie-in with your current reading of Solenoid at the end. Marvellous.
Thank you, Alexander! 'The transition from real to surreal' -- you nailed it. This is what I'm here for. These transitions make writing autofiction so enjoyable for me. I'm so glad you could capture it.
Omg was this amazing. You capture the most incredible sense of magical realism here. All the pieces. And knowing that you are reading Solenoid right now and quoting from it adds an extra, delicious layer.
My wife once left me a note in my shoe, so that I would find it before I went to work in the morning. It was such a meaningful note, so personal and special from our first year together, that I have kept it tucked away in my drawer.
Snippets of things I loved:
"You can feel someone’s presence long after they’re gone; until, abruptly, you no longer can."
"I always marveled at how you -- so composed and quiet and slow-moving in a delicate posture -- transformed into someone else in that moment of little exposure to something you perceived as a world not yours, a world of transgression and supposedly things not right." -- a lovely sentence, in terms of both words and structure.
"his naked body completely dried out, including his testicles (these words I remember very specifically). " -- horrifying plot, but a great line. Love the emphasis.
"I have no idea how long it took me to get there, and how deep down I went, but it felt like having reached a place miles below the street level." -- great.
Nathan! Thank you, my friend, for your always so thoughtful comments. And thank you for sharing your personal "hidden note" story. This seems to be a recurring theme in many of my relationships, not only the one that inspired this story. Someone, for example, would leave me paper notes in books! Anyway, I really appreciate you isolating these snippets; it's always interesting for me to see what caught your attention and did something to you. I had fun writing this; I think autofiction is what I enjoy writing the most. And I had to include that Solenoid line. I just had to. :)
Honestly, Silvio, all it makes me want to do is to write autofiction, too. I feel inspired. I am eager to return to writing something autofictional. But I'm also charmed to know I will get these doses from you each week to sate my need ☺️
(My big burst of autofiction (even though it delolved into something far different and darker) was in writing The Sernox at the tail end of last year and completing it earlier this year. I hope you don't mind me dropping a link: https://slake.substack.com/p/the-sernox)
I'm so glad to hear that. In my humble opinion, your writing lends itself perfectly to that end. Also, I believe one can pivot and re-pivot as much as they want, depending on mood, stage of life, personal identity, and more. I'm a big fan of change and not taking anything as definitive or for granted. How could I possibly mind you dropping a link to your work here? Thank you for doing this. I was planning to start reading some of your past works anyway, hopefully sooner rather than later, and I will eagerly start with The Sernox. Thank you!
Thanks, my friend. No hurry, but if and when you do get to it then would of course love to hear your thoughts. The style changes a bit after the first post, once I sort of found my feet.
Anyway, yes, you are right, being able to pivot and re-pivot is a great freedom.
I just read Part 1 and wow, I adored it. Going to save my comments until I've read them all, but just so you know: this is precious. I love the way you narrate and the rich prose you use and the choice of words. I sense I'll be through the series very soon. Thank you for signalling!
Fantastic autofiction drenched with magical realism. I never really thought combining the two, but this works so well.
I love being able to feel the interplay between what is probably real, what actually happened in your life, and what is clipped together from the thematic mind of you, the writer, manifesting in the somewhat unreal, impossible scenes, much like what appeared on the screen of the movie theater.
Thank you so much, Clancy! Yes, you nailed it: it's that interplay that makes me show up and find such enjoyment in doing this. Also, there's something mysterious about the act of coming up with these contrasts, as if they emerge from the page themselves.
Oh you’re quoting Solenoid already 🖤 fantastico! Do you live in Milan? I lived there for a year back in 2008 and miss it all the time. So many layers to that city…
I love this concept of going to the porn film (real or imagined) and the haunting of a person’s memory in a home space. Grief is like that - whether a person is dead or just out of your life - you hold on to those physical things, don’t you? Like a tracing. Really lovely work, Silvio.
Thank you, Kate, for reading my piece and your kind comment. I just HAD to include that marvellous quote! I'm loving the book, by the way. Yes, I live in Milano: the city where most of the 'auto' portion of my autofiction is generated. So, were you here back in '08? Even though I'm biased, I can understand you missing it. Those I know who lived here for a portion (even brief) of their lives seem to miss the city and its general flavor. All of them. It kind of grows on you, it seems. I have to say that having lived around a lot myself, including NYC, London, and Paris, Milano has a unique flair. But, again, I'm biased. And I'm Italian. :)
Milano in 2008! Si. I adored living there. The art, food, little streets…as well as so much nearby. It was so easy to learn Italian (with my French) because everyone was incredibly friendly.
"Our relationship was one big tacit agreement." Somehow you invoke a similar kind of unspoken bond with your readers Silvio. Always so much that goes unsaid in the most satisfying of ways between your lines.
Hi Silvio, read Unsent Letter 17. The last line of the first para particularly resonates for me - slowing down on finishing something - like a meal or the end of a book - to slow the process of letting go .... ?! Made me smile wryly, as it made me think oh hey, I'll just slow down on writing a No Send Letter just to make the process last! I do think my own personal no send letter(s) may well have different iterations over time and then, hopefully stop, as a process is worked through & a personal resolution reached! Keep 'em coming please! Vee (South Yorkshire, England).
Thank you, Veronica! Yes, slowing down something you're enjoying to make it last longer; you don't want it to end. It often happens to me, not only with books or meals. Writing is different, though. As it isn't a "linear" process like reading or eating. Glad it resonates with you.
What I really enjoy about your writing is the vividness of the images you create like a magician.
“Our relationship was one big tacit agreement. And as a chronic overthinker and overtalker, I hated this.”
This line caught me off guard. Such a moving moment in the piece that brought a gravitas to the importance of taking the words scribbled on the little notes and bringing them to life in some way. Maybe talking about them. Maybe seeing what fun comes from them. Maybe something else less tacit…
Eric! Thank you so much my friend. How nice and kind these words are. "The vividness of the images you create like a magician" -- this is so beautiful. Thank you for this thoughtful comment. So glad my writing does something to you.
Beautifully written, but I have to say I preferred the real to the surreal. The feeling of it reminded me of a poem by Rod McEwan, Song Without Words: https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/song_without_words_776843 as well as, of course, an amalgamation of a few of my own past relationships. I shall subsc, as I am continually searching for writing that is above the ordinary
Thank you, Terry. I'm not familiar with McEwan, thanks for sharing this beautiful poem. "An amalgamation of a few of my own past relationships." -- love how you put it. I've always thought we are a concoction of all our past relationships, so this resonates. Glad to have you on board!
One of my girlfriends, who I keep promising myself I shall write about one of these days, once said to me: “We are the embodiment of everyone we've ever met. “ I thought that was profound then, and I do now. Thank you for reminding me of that truth.
Well, how true and profound is that. Thanks for sharing. It couldn't be otherwise, and yet — as with most naturally true facts of life — we tend to take it for granted. I am a big believer in an evolving personal identity, shaped over time primarily by all the human connections we embrace.
excellent. it's so nice to come across something so refreshing and original after so many hours of passing through the empty efforts by so many others. there is hope yet! bravo!
Introducing Silvio Murakami. This piece reminded me of his style and atmospheres, like a lot. I LOVED it.
Thank you, Martino! Seeing you here reminds me that I need to catch up with your beautiful writing. I'm so far behind. Murakami is indeed a big inspiration, a master to follow. I recently learned that there are many Murakamis in Japan, and some of them are established writers. This is apparently due to the fact that there are only about 100,000 last names in Japan, so they repeat over and over. So, Silvio Murakami would not even be that far-fetched LOL.
I do believe it must be a very common surname. I just wonder how they'd pronunce your name, something like "Cee-leave-yo". Great!
Something like that lol. One of my best friends has lived in Japan for more than 30 years, and this is how he always mocks my name: by adding the sound of a vowel between the L and the V, turning the L into the sound of an R, and the V into the sound of a B. Complicated!
SeeR-Bee-Ow, something like that? I like it!
Hahaha sounds about right
100% agree. We have a new Murakami, and I am fully on board!
Guys, I'm blushing! I'm so humbled, really, by your precious words.
Happy I'm not the only one to have this feeling!
About an hour ago, I was on the NYC subway coming home from work, reading Murakami's First Person Singular short stories and then read this at home a few minutes and also felt the Murakami -like style. This was a great letter! I recently found your page and it's already a favorite of mine.
Thank you, Philip. This comparison to Murakami fills me with both pride and humility. I'm glad you like my work. Thank you again.
This is so good!
oh... the mystery... the evanescence.... what a captivating read!
Thank you, Jisoo! I had fun writing this.
Bravo, Silvio. What a magical recounting of bitter-sweet memories, esp. loved that line "You can feel someone’s presence long after they’re gone; until, abruptly, you no longer can."
The recounting, the little notes, the transition from real to surreal, captivating! I esp. like the tie-in with your current reading of Solenoid at the end. Marvellous.
Thank you, Alexander! 'The transition from real to surreal' -- you nailed it. This is what I'm here for. These transitions make writing autofiction so enjoyable for me. I'm so glad you could capture it.
I'm glad I have found you. Truly inspiring writing, Silvio.
So kind of you, Alexander. And likewise!
My weekly dose of Silvio arrives!
Omg was this amazing. You capture the most incredible sense of magical realism here. All the pieces. And knowing that you are reading Solenoid right now and quoting from it adds an extra, delicious layer.
My wife once left me a note in my shoe, so that I would find it before I went to work in the morning. It was such a meaningful note, so personal and special from our first year together, that I have kept it tucked away in my drawer.
Snippets of things I loved:
"You can feel someone’s presence long after they’re gone; until, abruptly, you no longer can."
"I always marveled at how you -- so composed and quiet and slow-moving in a delicate posture -- transformed into someone else in that moment of little exposure to something you perceived as a world not yours, a world of transgression and supposedly things not right." -- a lovely sentence, in terms of both words and structure.
"his naked body completely dried out, including his testicles (these words I remember very specifically). " -- horrifying plot, but a great line. Love the emphasis.
"I have no idea how long it took me to get there, and how deep down I went, but it felt like having reached a place miles below the street level." -- great.
Nathan! Thank you, my friend, for your always so thoughtful comments. And thank you for sharing your personal "hidden note" story. This seems to be a recurring theme in many of my relationships, not only the one that inspired this story. Someone, for example, would leave me paper notes in books! Anyway, I really appreciate you isolating these snippets; it's always interesting for me to see what caught your attention and did something to you. I had fun writing this; I think autofiction is what I enjoy writing the most. And I had to include that Solenoid line. I just had to. :)
Honestly, Silvio, all it makes me want to do is to write autofiction, too. I feel inspired. I am eager to return to writing something autofictional. But I'm also charmed to know I will get these doses from you each week to sate my need ☺️
(My big burst of autofiction (even though it delolved into something far different and darker) was in writing The Sernox at the tail end of last year and completing it earlier this year. I hope you don't mind me dropping a link: https://slake.substack.com/p/the-sernox)
I'm so glad to hear that. In my humble opinion, your writing lends itself perfectly to that end. Also, I believe one can pivot and re-pivot as much as they want, depending on mood, stage of life, personal identity, and more. I'm a big fan of change and not taking anything as definitive or for granted. How could I possibly mind you dropping a link to your work here? Thank you for doing this. I was planning to start reading some of your past works anyway, hopefully sooner rather than later, and I will eagerly start with The Sernox. Thank you!
Thanks, my friend. No hurry, but if and when you do get to it then would of course love to hear your thoughts. The style changes a bit after the first post, once I sort of found my feet.
Anyway, yes, you are right, being able to pivot and re-pivot is a great freedom.
I just read Part 1 and wow, I adored it. Going to save my comments until I've read them all, but just so you know: this is precious. I love the way you narrate and the rich prose you use and the choice of words. I sense I'll be through the series very soon. Thank you for signalling!
🙏 Zero hurry, but thank you. You'll probably realise the increasing effect Mircea was having on me as the parts continue.
Fantastic autofiction drenched with magical realism. I never really thought combining the two, but this works so well.
I love being able to feel the interplay between what is probably real, what actually happened in your life, and what is clipped together from the thematic mind of you, the writer, manifesting in the somewhat unreal, impossible scenes, much like what appeared on the screen of the movie theater.
Thank you so much, Clancy! Yes, you nailed it: it's that interplay that makes me show up and find such enjoyment in doing this. Also, there's something mysterious about the act of coming up with these contrasts, as if they emerge from the page themselves.
Oh you’re quoting Solenoid already 🖤 fantastico! Do you live in Milan? I lived there for a year back in 2008 and miss it all the time. So many layers to that city…
I love this concept of going to the porn film (real or imagined) and the haunting of a person’s memory in a home space. Grief is like that - whether a person is dead or just out of your life - you hold on to those physical things, don’t you? Like a tracing. Really lovely work, Silvio.
Thank you, Kate, for reading my piece and your kind comment. I just HAD to include that marvellous quote! I'm loving the book, by the way. Yes, I live in Milano: the city where most of the 'auto' portion of my autofiction is generated. So, were you here back in '08? Even though I'm biased, I can understand you missing it. Those I know who lived here for a portion (even brief) of their lives seem to miss the city and its general flavor. All of them. It kind of grows on you, it seems. I have to say that having lived around a lot myself, including NYC, London, and Paris, Milano has a unique flair. But, again, I'm biased. And I'm Italian. :)
Milano in 2008! Si. I adored living there. The art, food, little streets…as well as so much nearby. It was so easy to learn Italian (with my French) because everyone was incredibly friendly.
Glad to hear you had a good time here! :)
I absolutely love the Unsent Letters!!! This one pulled me in right from the start.
Thank you, Sammie! :)
"Our relationship was one big tacit agreement." Somehow you invoke a similar kind of unspoken bond with your readers Silvio. Always so much that goes unsaid in the most satisfying of ways between your lines.
Thank you, Rick! That could very well be in my about me page lol. By now, you know exactly how to read between my lines.
y'all are reminding me to actually write my substack too again XD;;;
Never too late, Christin!
Hi Silvio, read Unsent Letter 17. The last line of the first para particularly resonates for me - slowing down on finishing something - like a meal or the end of a book - to slow the process of letting go .... ?! Made me smile wryly, as it made me think oh hey, I'll just slow down on writing a No Send Letter just to make the process last! I do think my own personal no send letter(s) may well have different iterations over time and then, hopefully stop, as a process is worked through & a personal resolution reached! Keep 'em coming please! Vee (South Yorkshire, England).
Thank you, Veronica! Yes, slowing down something you're enjoying to make it last longer; you don't want it to end. It often happens to me, not only with books or meals. Writing is different, though. As it isn't a "linear" process like reading or eating. Glad it resonates with you.
What I really enjoy about your writing is the vividness of the images you create like a magician.
“Our relationship was one big tacit agreement. And as a chronic overthinker and overtalker, I hated this.”
This line caught me off guard. Such a moving moment in the piece that brought a gravitas to the importance of taking the words scribbled on the little notes and bringing them to life in some way. Maybe talking about them. Maybe seeing what fun comes from them. Maybe something else less tacit…
Bravo!
Eric! Thank you so much my friend. How nice and kind these words are. "The vividness of the images you create like a magician" -- this is so beautiful. Thank you for this thoughtful comment. So glad my writing does something to you.
Beautifully written, but I have to say I preferred the real to the surreal. The feeling of it reminded me of a poem by Rod McEwan, Song Without Words: https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/song_without_words_776843 as well as, of course, an amalgamation of a few of my own past relationships. I shall subsc, as I am continually searching for writing that is above the ordinary
Thank you, Terry. I'm not familiar with McEwan, thanks for sharing this beautiful poem. "An amalgamation of a few of my own past relationships." -- love how you put it. I've always thought we are a concoction of all our past relationships, so this resonates. Glad to have you on board!
One of my girlfriends, who I keep promising myself I shall write about one of these days, once said to me: “We are the embodiment of everyone we've ever met. “ I thought that was profound then, and I do now. Thank you for reminding me of that truth.
Well, how true and profound is that. Thanks for sharing. It couldn't be otherwise, and yet — as with most naturally true facts of life — we tend to take it for granted. I am a big believer in an evolving personal identity, shaped over time primarily by all the human connections we embrace.
What a beautiful Matryoshka of nostalgic events! I had seen another famous blue raincoat in a touching song from Leonard Cohen.
Thank you, Margarita. Yes, THAT blue raincoat is a favorite of mine!
...wow...another total captivation...bravo from the back row of the theater...don't mind me or my mustache...
LOL CansaFis! Thank you man :)
excellent. it's so nice to come across something so refreshing and original after so many hours of passing through the empty efforts by so many others. there is hope yet! bravo!
Thank you, Jaap, for your kind words! And thanks for reading. So glad you liked it.
A Famous Blue Raincoat!
Simply wonderful, Silvio.
Thank you, Nic! Incidentally, that Leonard Cohen song is one of my favorites of his.