by John Hersey
First published 1944
As World War II rages across Europe, an Italian-American army officer arrives in the town of Adano, Sicily. He finds the people demoralized, their sense of community shattered after Fascists melted down the town's beloved bell. Determined to help them reclaim their identity, the officer navigates military red tape and opposition from his own superiors to search for a replacement. But as the hunt drags on, the stakes rise - the townspeople grow ever more despondent, and the officer must decide how far he'll go to give them back their voice.
Genres: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, war
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Italy
Period: Allied Occupation, 1943-1947
288 pages · Paperback · Vintage