Summary of M: Son of the Century
“M: Son of the Century” chronicles the rise to power of the Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini, covering the early years of his political career in Milan from 1919 to 1925, in the aftermath of the First World War. The book spans nearly 800 pages of detailed descriptions of political struggles in post-war Italy – particularly the successes of the socialists and communists in the first elections after the war, the general strikes they organised, the fear among the Italian bourgeoisie of a Communist revolution and civil war reminiscent of the violent events in the Soviet Union, as well as the frustration of nationalists and veterans with Italy’s modest territorial gains. All of this led to widespread polarisation, violent clashes between political extremes, terrorist attacks, gang violence, banditry, and outright murders committed by Fascists against their political opponents. It culminated in the “March on Rome” and Mussolini’s appointment as prime minister – and later dictator – of Italy.
Reasons to read M: Son of the Century
“M: Son of the Century” – a thoroughly political novel – is the first instalment in a series of five books about the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. The novel won the prestigious Strega Prize (‘Premio Strega’) in 2019 and became a bestseller both in Italy and internationally. Antonio Scurati wrote this book as a “documentary novel”, incorporating documents from the period, such as newspaper articles, letters, and speeches, as an indictment of fascism – an intention that has not been well received by some contemporary Italian politicians. This book is recommended for readers interested in political history – particularly the rise of fascism – and who are not deterred by detailed descriptions of the polarisation and violence that characterised Italy in the first half of the twentieth century.
Setting: Milan, Rome (Italy) & Rijeka (Croatia)
Book set in Italy: primarily in Milan, Rome, and other places in northern Italy – also Fiume (Rijeka) in present-day Croatia.
Original title: M. Il figlio del secolo
Year of publication: 2018
Nr of pages: 784
