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“I would always be afraid: afraid of saying the wrong thing, of using an exaggerated tone, of dressing unsuitably, of revealing petty feelings, of not having interesting thoughts.”
― Elena Ferrante, The Story of a New Name

“Not for you,” Lila replies ardently, “you’re my brilliant friend, you have to be the best of all, boys and girls.”
― Elena Ferrante, My Brilliant Friend

“There are people who leave and people who know how to be left.”
― Elena Ferrante, The Story of a New Name

“People are lonely, is my point here. Many people can’t say to those they know well what it is they feel they might want to say.”
― Elizabeth Strout, Oh William!