This fine translation from the Italian by Julia McGibbon examines the lives of Italians some of whom were not on the front lines of battle in World War Two and two British subjects, one, an RAF bomber pilot, the other a young woman working on the home front. Alternating between a son fighting in North Africa, a lawyer working clandestinely in his village against the fascists, the young gay pilot struggling with his identity and the English lass volunteering at home this story weaves a complex tapestry of fear, self-doubt, suppressed emotions, frustrated ambitions, occasional joy and dismay at the state of the world.

As the war ramps up and the fascists at home begin behaving more brutally, Stefano Portelli, a budding lawyer marries Eleonora and begins what seems at first to be an ideal life. Sadly, Eleonora dies with her child and Stefano becomes sunk in grief. Alastair Ormiston who joins the RAF to escape living at home with his increasing feelings of estrangement and burgeoning homosexuality finds both satisfaction in his skill as a bomber pilot and emotional comfort in a fellow flyer who may be his soul mate. Meanwhile, Edna, his best friend is disoriented and unhappy while finding a small measure of satisfaction in becoming a nurse at facilities treating the wounded coming back from battle. All in all, no one is happy, although there are brief moments when each one finds some joy.

The author handles the conflicting emotions, sense of doom surrounding what is becoming an increasingly lost cause for the Italians, and the overall chaos, pain and suffering that always accompany warfare with a sensitive hand, balancing sadness and happiness in a reflection of how humans truly behave.