Rome

Elsa Morante's story takes place in Italy, primarily in Rome and its outskirts, covering a span of time from when German Nazi forces were only discussed and speculated upon, to their total occupation of the city, removal of Jews, and eventual retreat. The impoverished Italian people look from one leader to the next for relief and protection, but find that the working class is oppressed under every brand of facism and communism that comes into power. An ancient and beautiful city, this story tells of the devastation of Rome by bombs dropped both by Axis and Allied forces.

San Lorenzo

San Lorenzo is a working-class district in Rome where Ida Mancuso lives with her two sons, Nino and Useppe. After many air raid alarms and evenings spent in the air raid shelter in the building's basement, their building is finally bombed and destroyed, leaving Ida and Useppe...