1657

Plot 

Genoa, 1657: Doctor Piero Argentieri arrives in the city just days before a devastating plague strikes, claiming the lives of more than half its inhabitants. Trapped and powerless against the epidemic, Piero endures unspeakable horrors, but amidst despair, pain, anger, and betrayal, he also discovers love, solidarity and the hope that all will not end.

Review by Maria Marques

Rarely has a book captivated my imagination so intensely that I felt compelled to close its pages, look around, and ensure that the city unfolding before my eyes was the same one the author described-silent and shrouded in a cloak of death.

An educated man of science, Piero faces a battle that challenges his moral values and reshapes his understanding of humanity. Confronted with the first case of plague, he recalls the grim medial adage, “Cito, longe, trade”-flee quickly, far away, and return as late as possible. But fleeing is not an option. Instead, Piero finds himself navigating the chaos of a city on the brink of collapse.

The Republic of Genoa is woefully unprepared. Though officials attempt to stem the epidemic and reassure the public, their efforts are marred by mismanagement and fear of economic ruin. Commerce grinds to a halt as ships are banned, food supplies dwindle, and desperation mounts. Nobles sacrifice their wealth-and often their lives-in a bid to alleviate suffering, while prisoners and convicts are released to serve as gravediggers in a grim bid to restore order. Yet, even in this apocalyptic landscape, the plague acts as a brutal equalizer, uniting all classes in shared hardship.

As Piero bears witness to humanity at its worst and best, the story delves into profound questions about survival, morality, and solidarity. Should one surrender to the hedonism of a world on the edge, or risk everything for the greater good? Piero’s journey becomes a reflection of the indomitable human spirit, revealing how crisis can strip us to our core-and inspire us to rise above fear in service of hope and what lies beyond.

Roberto Palumbo brings the story of my city, Genoa, to life-a story shared by countless other cities ravaged by the same devastating plague. With profound historical knowledge and a restrained yet evocative style, Palumbo masterfully conjures haunting imagery that grips the reader from start to finish. His narrative builds in an unrelenting crescendo, seamlessly intertwining fact and fiction with remarkable balance.

At the heart of the tale is a protagonist who stands out not as a hero, but as a deeply human figure. Through his fears, doubts, and unyielding will to survive, Palumbo presents a character who resonates profoundly with readers, embodying the fragile yet enduring spirit of humanity.