Professor Levi-Civita was one of the few real-life Jewish people to survive Auschwitz. How does the inclusion of this real-life figure enrich the Simones’ story? How does Levi-Civita’s story echo in the Simones’ struggles?

The concept of family is expanded on throughout the novel. How does this extension conflict with Massimo’s understanding of lineage? How does this extension inform Nonna and Elisabetta’s relationship?

Rome functions almost as a character, providing a layered setting for the novel. How does Rome itself represent the complex relationship between Elisabetta, Marco, and Sandro? Include evidence from the text.