LITMIR.BIZ

      ANYTHING ELSE? Yes. Do not copy this book—with the exception of quotes used in critical essays and reviews—without the prior written permission from the copyright holder and publisher. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means.

      WE MUST ALSO POINT OUT THAT THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. Any resemblances to names, places, incidents, or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental or are used fictitiously.

      When I dream it’s of you

      My love, my friend

      When I sing it’s for you

      My love, my friend

      (Marie Laforêt, “Mon amour, mon ami”)

      … and huge stars,

      above the feverish head, and hands,

      reaching out to the one,

      who hasn’t for ages existed—and won’t exist—

      who cannot exist—and must exist.

      (Marina Tsvetaeva, “Nights without the beloved …”)