I have told the story I was asked to tell. I have closed it, as so many stories close, with a joining of two people. What is one man's and one woman's love and desire, against the history of two worlds, the great revolutions of our lifetimes, the hope, the unending cruelty of our species? A little thing. But a key is a little thing, next to the door it opens. If you lose the key, the door may never be unlocked. It is in our bodies that we lose or begin our freedom, in our bodies that we accept or end our slavery. So I wrote this book for my friend, with whom I have lived and will die free.

Summary

In this quote, the speaker reflects on the significance of a love story against the backdrop of profound historical events. They acknowledge the magnitude of wars, revolutions, and the inherent cruelty of humanity, juxtaposing them with the intimate connection between two individuals. Despite the vastness of these global events, they emphasize the importance of such personal connections, likening them to a key that unlocks a door. The speaker suggests that our physical bodies hold the power to either restrain us or to bring about liberation, underlining the book's purpose: to honor their friend and affirm their shared commitment to living and dying in freedom.

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