Book description
Introduced by Magnus Linklater. Angelo, a private in Mussolini's
'ever-glorious' Italian army, may possess the virtues of love and an
engaging innocence but he lacks the gift of courage. However, due to
circumstances beyond his control, he ends up fighting not only for Italy
but also for the British and German armies. With his patron the Count,
the beautiful Lucrezia, the charming Annunziata, and the delightful
Major Telfer, Angelo's fellow characters are drawn with humour, insight
and sympathy, making the book a wittily satirical comment on the
grossness and waste of war. Eric Linklater, who served with the Black
Watch in Italy in World War II, is one of Scotland's most distinguished
writers. In Private Angelo he has written a book which demonstrates that
honour is not solely the preserve of the brave. 'He writes not only of
an angel, but like one . . . Private Angelo is now a permanent portrait
in the heavenly gallery of human frailty.' Observer 'The drollest medley
of muddle and misadventure . . . A quite unforgettable group of people
take part, none of whom lacks the genuine Linklater stamp . . . A
high-spirited entertainment which never loses its individual air.'
Sunday Times
