Summary of A Very Cold Winter
“A Very Cold Winter” tells the story of Camilla, who, during the harsh winter of 1946–1947, shares an attic in Milan with her family and several friends as illegal squatters. Life in Milan, devastated by the war, is difficult and survival depends largely on the resilience of the women, who struggle with practical hardships such as cold and a constant lack of money. Yet, despite these challenges, they gradually begin to dream of building a better future in the post-war world.
Reasons to read A Very Cold Winter
“A Very Cold Winter” is a moving portrayal of a family striving to overcome the harsh realities of everyday life. It is a powerful story about family bonds and womanhood in a city shattered by war. The novel is often regarded as a classic of feminist literature. The author, Fausta Cialente, was a distinguished Italian writer. She won the Premio Strega in 1976 for “Le quattro ragazze Wieselberger”, a novel set in Trieste. Cialente was also a political activist opposed to Fascism.
Original title: Un inverno freddissimo
Year of publication: 1966
Nr of pages: 296
