Ippolito Nievo was an influential Italian writer and political activist whose work reflects his fervent convictions regarding Italian independence and unification. His early decision to refuse a career in law, which would have implied submission to Austrian rule, underscores his strong sense of personal integrity and patriotism. Deeply inspired by political thought, Nievo actively participated in the struggles for Italian independence. His literary legacy lies in his passionate engagement with the political currents of his time and his drive to contribute to the formation of a modern Italy through both his writing and his actions.
At the age of eighty-three and nearing death, Carlo Altoviti has decided to write down the confessions of his long life. He remembers everything: his unhappy childhood in the kitchens of the Castle of Fratta; romantic entanglements during the siege of Genoa; revolutionary fighting in Naples; and so much more.