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THE FOX AND THE CAMELLIAS by Ignazio Silone

THE FOX AND THE CAMELLIAS

By

Pub Date: May 10th, 1961
Publisher: Harper

Reminiscent of The Secret of Luca (1958) this has its background in political activities, its story in their effects on a family. Daniele, rebelling against his father, has gone to live in Italy but returns to his inheritance in Italian Switzerland where his operations against the dictatorship he has watched and know attract the attention of the secret police. The little sewing woman is approached for information but coached by Daniele and his friend Agostino gives nothing away and is threatened with expulsion; Daniele, Agostino and the carpenter continue their activities; an accident brings Signor Cefalu to Daniele's house where Silvia, Daniele's favorite daughter, falls in love with him. Knowledge of Daniele's identity does not cause the young man to betray them but does lead to his death, and the family is unhappily divided. ""Pride and honor as a man"" in the face of oppression, the timelessness of countryside and farm, background the naturalness and directness of this -- which has many interpretations.