Status
Available
Call number
Description
In 1938, after fifteen years in exile, a member of the Communist Party returns to Italy disguised as a priest and finds truth and a meaningful way of life among peasants of the countryside.
Publication
Signet (1962)
Series
Genres
Collection
Original publication date
1936 (German)
1937 (Italian)
1936 (English)
User reviews
LibraryThing member janerawoof
In Fascist Italy, a Socialist man recently returned from exile, in order to evade the law, is disguised as a priest--he will have immunity from persecution as an ecclesiastic-- and lives among the peasants of the Abruzzi. The novel chronicles his adventures, both funny and tragic and we are exposed
Highly recommended and just as current today as when it was written--one man against tyranny. A classic, banned in Mussolini's Italy. I can certainly see why!
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to the peasantry. We see his growth as a human being. The ending was a shocker! The title could refer to the elements in the Mass or to the common food of the people. Highly recommended and just as current today as when it was written--one man against tyranny. A classic, banned in Mussolini's Italy. I can certainly see why!
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LibraryThing member Goodwillbooks
A rich book of oppression in Italy prior to World War II; surprisingly humorous, but ultimately tragic.
LibraryThing member shannonkearns
I picked up this book after hearing that both Dorothy Day and Philip Berrigan found it influential to their thinking. The book follows Pietro Spina, a socialist on the the run from the authorities, who disguises himself as a priest in order to keep from being found out. The book is a reflection on
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revolution, on religion, and on relationships. I liked it quite a bit. There were several moving passages. The story itself is occasionally uneven and I wasn't thrilled by the ending, but it's definitely a good book to check out. Show Less
LibraryThing member jonfaith
I read this one in 1994 or so, prompted by Silone's associations with postwar French thinkers and the usual rot which attracts pseuds in their early twenties. I recall the crowd scene rather vividly as well as the author's afterward where he recalls encountering soemone reading his book while
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travelling on a train. Show Less
LCC
PQ4841.I4 P313