THE LITTLE WORLD OF DON CAMILLO

by Giovanni Guareschi ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 15, 1950

This is in its 7th edition in Italy -- and well it might be, for it is an utterly delightful and diverting collection of incidents about a village priest, Don Camillo, and his satanic friend-enemy, the Communist Mayor Peppone. Set somewhere in the Po River valley, a village church houses a cross from which Christ volubly acts as referee in the abundant and constant political battles which rage at all times between Don Camillo and Peppone. They bicker about the evils of Communism, about who is to provide the town with an amusement center or who is to entertain an outside speaker, representing the liberal party; there are fist fights, with the priest boxing before the town incognito, and much amiable hitting one another on the head. Christ is always on hand to offer good, balanced advice to the impulsive priest, who is once driven out of town, who escapes being blown up in a mine field, who poaches illegally -- with Peppone. All ends happily with Peppone realizing his Communist parrotings are empty words. Extremely amusing -- not only in the text but in the gay little drawings by the author which head each chapter. Dual selection for August Book of the Month with Rise Up And Walk by Turnley Walker (Dutton-P. 325).

Pub Date: Aug. 15, 1950

ISBN: 1849022437

Page Count: -

Publisher: Pellegrini & Cudahy

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1950

Categories: FICTION