This book, set in 1970's Southern Italy, is told from the perspective of 9-year old Michele, who grows up in a poor family. Indeed, his whole village, and Southern Italy in general are the poor relations of the weathlier North and this results in people taking desperate measures to try to secure a better future for their families. The reader learns the horror of the situation through the eyes of a child and becomes embroiled in the basic fight of good versus evil.