"I read somewhere that Rossellini’s strength was that he was devoid of imagination. A perceptive comment, as the power of this film is its relentlessness"

"My favorite volume of the publication of her diaries. Her candid and arresting narrative is endlessly enticing, romantic and tragic. She captured my imagination so completely."

"Such beautiful writing and storytelling and visual imagery. I never saw the movie made from this book as the book itself is a movie in my imagination."

"This book introduced me to my imagination. Its flare for the absurd and nonsensical is perfect for any age. The illustrations are iconic and inspired much of my childhood drawings."

"Vitali Kanevsky’s film is made up of powerful images: strange figures that cross the streets; children with stones; derailed trains. I like to see how imagination transfigures memories over time."