MUSSOLINI: The Tragic Women in His Life

by Vittorio Mussolini ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 29, 1973

This family memoir by the dictator's eldest son scrupulously eschews politics beyond the obligatory appeal to ""the judgment of history"" which he believes will vindicate ""Papa"" and the struggle to which he gave ""a lifetime of passion, sacrifice, hardship, fears, and hopes."" Instead it concentrates on portraying the Mussolinis as just another hearty, devoted Italian family presided over by Mother who remained even at the height of their triumphs ""first and foremost a Romagnola housewife"" and Papa who never let his mistresses, even Clara Petacci who shared his miserable end, come between him and his family. Besides the pain Clara caused mother when she found out about the affair, there was the pain Papa caused Edda, the author's sister in 1943 when he permitted her husband, Count Ciano, to be shot because he treacherously voted for the Grandi motion -- calling for Il Duce's resignation -- in the Fascist Grand Council. Everyone felt very bad but, after Mussolini was reinstated with the help of the Germans, there was really no choice. Poor Edda. Beyond the Ciano Affair, the most controversial matter touched on in this sentimental eulogy to the happy family, is the revelation that Papa was crazy about wild lettuce and there's also a complete inventory of the presents Edda received at her wedding. Nothing at all of the brutal, volcanic man Laura Fermi portrayed in her biography (Mussolini, 1961). Historians will read it, if at all, as a maudlin, filial footnote and there's not enough garlic for the gossip market.

Pub Date: May 29, 1973

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dial

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1973

Categories: NONFICTION