With humor and honesty, Szarkowski takes the reader along on her adventures and challenges that range from being in an Italian hospital, to her frequent interactions with the Italian police, to her daily encounters with a homeless man on the streets of Rome. With a writing style that allows the reader to feel present during each of these adventures, Szarkowski also teaches us about deafness and encourages us to open our minds to think about the way we live our lives and the impact our actions have on others. "The Sights, Sounds, & Silences of Italy" is about living a full life and then reflecting upon it, sharing those insights with others.