Alfred Kazin

Romulus and Remus, whilst suckling on that wolf, could not have anticipated what would happen to their old place once the twentieth century got hold of it. Here, through the eyes of a distinguished literary visitor, is a look at the seemingly hopeless but amiable chaos of modern-day Rome.

In the name of the future I call upon you to give all the encouragement and help you can to this most talented writer, for his tragedy is our tragedy, the tragedy of our country.— Julian A. Vronsky, former investigator for the Moscow Regional Procurator.