This is one of my classic books. I remember reading one of the author's other books--Fontamara back in college or at least read enough to write an essay or two on it. One of those classes I still remember--Dr Sanchez in the History Dept, I took 2 classes with him. One was on the Spanish Civil War and read For Whom The Bells Toll and other books about the war. I can't remember the other class name but there were no text books, just instead novels. I have probably kept most of the books so I could probably dig through my shelves to find the others if I wanted. But obviously I have digressed. This book Bread and Wine talks about Italy in 1938 being led by a dictator--Mussolini right before they go to war in Ethiopia. The main character is a communist radical that for several years has been living outside of Italy in exile. He has come back but is wanted by authorities. His friends help him hid as a priest and put him up in a small town since his health is bad. While there the small town is excited to have a priest, even if he won't say Mass. He is disillusioned with both the dictator and the communists as well as the people that are not striving for something better. A really good read about this time in Italy and the struggles of the people.
This is a keeper for me, will have to match it up with the other book when I have time to go looking.
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