Roses in the Wind

Release: 15th December 2025
Pages 94
Genre: Historical novel
Trailer: [ Official Trailer ]
eBook: Amazon
Print: Not available

Chapter by Chapter Guide

Plot: Just a few years into their marriage, Vittorina and Pirì’s differences in personality lead them to clash on several fronts. As she tries to mend their relationship, she finds herself staunchly defending her family from external threats. Her husband’s relatives, with the country’s political support, seem to be able to control everything they put their eyes on. Meanwhile, the Manettis face new turmoil, and each member go their own way. In a time of crisis and disorientation, playing it by ear becomes the only solution for Vittorina.

The novel is divided into four different parts, titled POWER, DUTY, WILL and GLORY. Each represents a different moment in the development of the story, which looks like this:

1 . Across the River
2 . The War Within
3 . When the Frog Sings
4 . New Women

The opening part portrays the Minguzzi family situation in 1924. Vittorina, now preoccupied with her duties as a mother and wife, struggles to maintain relationships with her family of origin. A new pregnancy gives her the opportunity to reflect on what she’s going through.

5 . Charmed
6 . Present Perfect
7 . No
8 . One Night Only

The second part of the novel takes place in 1926, two years later. Pietro and Vittorina are increasingly distant: he does everything his own way, jeopardizing the family’s well-being. A wrong choice, in fact, brings serious consequences. Meanwhile, rumors of his apparent infidelity spread.

9 . Love Sublime
10 .Virgo fragilis
11 . Tales from the River
12 . Ballad of the Withered Flowers

It’s 1927. Brunette discovers she’s pregnant by a man she met some time before and doesn’t know how to cope. Meanwhile, the Minguzzis are faced with the sale of their historic home. A family conflict will lead them to reflect on the dynamics of their relationship.

13 . Ashes
14 . The Sleeping Town
15 . Solemnly
16 . Roses in the Wind

The fourth and final part finds the protagonists confronting the consequences of their choices. Nina contemplates becoming a nun, but experiences several periods of uncertainty about her choice. Meanwhile, an unexpected pregnancy restores hope to the Minguzzi household.

Main characters in the Minguzzi – Manetti family:

Vittorina, wife of Pirì and mother of his children. During a new pregnancy, tensions arise within the family, leading first to financial instability and then to emotional strain.
Pietro, Pirì. Vittorina’s husband and head of the family. The rise of Fascism puts him in front of difficult choices, as he follows the advice of his cousin Celso.
Celso, son of Domenico Minguzzi and cousin of Pirì. He gets involved in the Fascist movement and gets Pirì to follow him through his entrepreneurial drive, causing quarrels between him and his wife.
Maria Pascoli, known as Mariuccia. Faced with the family’s hardships, she grows very close to her daughter-in-law, Vittorina.
Maria, the eldest of Pirì’s sisters, is now married to Antonio (Tonì) and plays only a minor role in family affairs.
Angela, also known as Angiulina. Sister of Pirì and wife of Giacomo, also known as Iacumì. She has two daughters, but a few years later must undergo treatment for an illness.
Giuseppa, also known as Pipina. Pirì’s youngest sister. She meets a young man, Adelmo, and falls in love with him. Her affection for her sister Angiulina will influence some of her choices.
Mario, Mariulina, and Ghina, the children of Pirì and Vittorina, are beginning to grow up.

Other characters:

Lorenzo Piva, Rinzó. A Fascist squad member from Villanova who lives in town because of his grandmother Ermelinda. His close friendship with Celso ends up influencing Pirì and his family as well.
Edmondo, known as Mundì. A young man involved in organising the town surveillance. He becomes infatuated with the Brunette and begins secretly seeing her, hiding the relationship from his parents. When she becomes pregnant, the scandal shocks the Sért family.
Caterina Duranti. A catechist, peer, and friend of Giuseppa, as well as helper to the parish maid Lucia. She ends up entangled in gossip after a secret gift is accidentally found in the church.
Lucia Cottignoli. The parish maid. Having served alongside the parish priests for years, Lucia also knows many of the parishioners’ secrets. She will be the one to spread false rumours about Pirì’s fidelity.
Paola Pasotti, known as la Pavlàza. A beggar and seer who claims she must protect the descendants of the man who once saved her grandmother — Vittorina’s maternal grandfather. She carries with her warnings and prophetic messages.
Adelmo. A young man from Villanova who meets Giuseppa by chance. They marry soon after.
Giacomo, known as Iacumì. Husband of Angiulina, Pirì’s sister, and father of their two little girls, Ernestina and Paolina.
Enrichetta Molinari. The family nursemaid. A young woman who has long helped the Bumbara family raise their children. She decides to turn the page and start anew.
Lieto. Grandchild of Gigetto the shoemaker . He appears throughout the story to help Giaza.

Other characters in the Manetti family:

Felicina, also known as Silly. Married and mother of two kids: Dark Locks and Nerino.
Alma, also known as Oldie. The eldest sister living at home.
Grisostoma, known as Brunette. She meets Edmondo and, against her family’s wishes, begins seeing him.
Pietro, known as Cricket. He quarrels with his younger brother Giaza, going through a period of intense personal crisis.
Antonia, known as Nina. She decides to leave Villanova to become a nun, but experiences several second thoughts.
Grisostomo, known as Giaza. Now a seminarian, he no longer identifies with either his hometown or his future as a priest. He will go through a phase of deep confusion.
Aunt Filomena. The aunt from Passosegni returns to Villanova to pay a visit. It becomes an opportunity to reconnect with Vittorina. The two spend a social evening together, breaking away from all conventions.