Summary

The Grandmothers’ section is split into three chapters, named after the three grandmothers: Sibilla, Agnes, and Matha. Each of these chapters is narrated in the third person, except for a page-long reflection by the plural first person narrators at the end of each chapter.

Sibilla’s story begins in Italy, where her mother Adriana works as a servant for Lina, the daughter of Pietro Gavuzzi. Sibilla is born with hair all over her body which does not stop growing. Because of this, Adriana does not let Sibilla out of the house, until one day as a teenager she sneaks out. Her mother fears for her safety and takes her to Lina’s home, where Sibilla becomes a servant during the daytime and entertainment for Lina’s parties in the evening. During the parties, Sibilla meets Federico Corsale, a young sergeant with whom...