Chapters 1-5 Summary

Chapter 1 is called "Dr. Iannis Commences his History and is Frustrated." Dr. Iannis is a widower doctor on the Greek island of Cephallonia, who lives with his beautiful daughter, Pelagia. As the novel opens, Dr. Iannis has just cured the lifelong deafness of a village man by removing a pea that had been stuck in his ear since childhood without his knowledge. Dr. Iannis is paid for the miraculous operation in food and livestock and returns home, where his daughter is preparing supper. He is writing a history of Cephallonia, but is dissatisfied with his latest introduction. He writes a new beginning and takes a break, returning to find his daughter's goat has gotten into the house and eaten his latest manuscript.

Chapter 2, "The Duce" is a one-sided conversation of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, called the Duce, as he discusses plans...