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“Remember: you are servants now. You are servants of the people of Adano. And watch: this thing will make you happier than you have ever been in your lives.��
- Major Victor Joppolo

John Hersey does something quite subtle in this short novel. He sketches a fully fleshed, patriotic American Army and Navy, while breathing life into the inhabitants of a patriotic coastal Italian town, Adano. These groups meet during the American liberation of the country in the waning years of WWII, when the military occupies and governs Adano. Apparently the village is modeled on the Sicilian town of Licata.

Both groups of people are sympathetic, and even the miscreants are often misunderstood, or merely simple folk who cannot fathom the forces at play (both the American servicemen or the locals).

Major Joppolo is a kind, virtuous, selfless person, and is tasked with running Adano. He wants what is the best for the locals, even if it countermands capricious orders by his commanders. The Italian natives are often confused at the democratic and fair systems that are being installed in the wake of the previous graft and Fascism.

Although the tale is tragic, it still contains a gritty realism, violence, tragedy, farce, and maintains a hopeful note throughout it all. Couldn’t recommend it highly enough.