The Patriot (Piccolo Mondo Antico)

"The Patriot (Piccolo Mondo Antico)" by Antonio Fogazzaro, is a story that dives into a world of passionate romance and intense political conflict in 19th-century Italy. It follows Don Franco Maironi, who finds himself torn between his feelings for Signorina Luisa Rigey and the demands of his family, especially his controlling grandmother, the Marchesa. The book begins with a scene on Lake Lugano, where characters are getting ready for a boat ride, highlighting the contrast between their personal wishes and what's expected of them. The relationships and power struggles among the characters, like the worried Signora Barborin and her bossy husband, Pasotti, are revealed early on. Don Franco's challenges are central to the plot where we discover his strong affection for Luisa, weighed down by the expectations of society and his family which then sets the stage for his internal struggles.