Primo Levi, The Friend

Description

A brief text in the form of a limmud—a Jewish memorial teaching that honors someone who has passed away, dedicated to topics close to their heart. The reader participates in a conversation—of the kind old friends have. By weaving personal memories with Primo Levi’s own words, Guidetti Serra conjures up Levi’s presence and reveals how his character was inseparable from his work, while also highlighting his gift for enduring friendships.

About the Author

Bianca Guidetti Serra (1919–2014) was a lawyer, a partisan in the Italian Resistance, and a lifelong political activist. She met Primo Levi during their university years and maintained a close friendship with him throughout their lives. She is the author of Compagne (Einaudi, 2009), a collection of interviews with politically engaged women from Turin.