In 1939, a group of gay and bisexual men were rounded up and imprisoned on a tiny Italian island, their lives changed forever. Based on a true story of 1930s Italy, MUSSOLINI'S ISLAND is a powerful exploration of wartime life that will appeal to readers of EARLY ONE MORNING
Sarah Day's MUSSOLINI'S ISLAND is a novel of sexuality and desire, of hidden passions and the secrets we keep locked within us. Based on the true story of the rounding up of a group of Sicilian gay men in 1938, this book is sure to appeal to readers of the Elena Ferrante novels, Virginia Baily's EARLY ONE MORNING or fans of Il Postino.
'Startling. A compassionate and clear-eyed debut which illuminates a grim chamber of 20th century history'
Patrick Gale
Francesco has a memory of his father from early childhood, a night when life for his family changed. From that night, he has vowed to protect his mother and to follow the words of his father: Non mollare. Never give up.
As Francesco is herded into a camp on the island of San Domino, he realises that someone must have handed a list of names to the fascist police. Locked in spartan dormitories, resentment and bitterness between the men grows each day.
Elena, an illiterate island girl, is drawn to the handsome Francesco. Sometimes, she is given a message to pass on. She's not sure who they are from; she knows simply that Francesco is hiding something. When Elena discovers the truth about the group of prisoners, the fine line between love and hate pulls her towards an act that can only have terrible consequences for all.
A complex, tender psychological love story, combined with a murder mystery that will keep you guessing
