Updike, John. (1932–2009) "When I come to Italy I want to come with the empty head and shut mouth of a tourist." - Typed Letter SignedTLS from the American man of letters to Professor Irma Antonetto of the Associazione Culturale Italiana, responding to a second invitation to have the author speak. May 24, 1983; 1 pp., airmail letter. "Dear Irma Antonetto: After eleven years, you should be entitled to a positive reply; but for the time being I have done enough travelling and posing as an author, and when I come to Italy I want to come with the empty head and shut mouth of a tourist.