It is the story I hoped to tell. It is the story that lies around the edges of the photograph, or at the end of the newspaper account. It's about the lies we tell others to protect them, and about the lies we tell ourselves in order not to acknowledge what we can't bear: that we are alive, for instance, and eating lunch, while bombs are falling, and refugees are crammed into camps, and the news come toward us every hour of the day. And what, in the end, do we do?

Summary

This quote expresses the intention to narrate a story that goes beyond surface-level representations. It highlights an underlying theme of deception, specifically the lies people tell to shield others from harsh realities and the lies they tell themselves to avoid confronting uncomfortable truths. The quote questions our response to such situations, emphasizing the stark contrast between the mundane aspects of daily life and the crises happening worldwide. Ultimately, it prompts us to reflect on our responsibility and actions in the face of adversity.

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