Giovanna

Giovanna is the protagonist and first person narrator of the novel. She is the only child of Andrea and Nella. When she is 13 years old, Giovanna overhears her father telling her mother that she is beginning to resemble her wicked and ugly Aunt Vittoria. Giovanna panics, believing her parents' hurtful words are a sign of their fading love and profound disappointment in her. In order to appease her fears, she endeavors to find a photograph of her aunt, and later, to meet Vittoria in person.

Giovanna finds Vittoria so beautiful it is necessary to call her ugly. She is also fascinated by her aunt's brazen vulgarity, and disinterest in complying to social norms. In an attempt to distance herself from her parents, Giovanna embraces her relationship with Vittoria in secret. Vittoria becomes her new role model and the only person she believes has any affection for her. However...