Much of the work is based on a cut off backwater in the South of Italy, which is where a political activist hides disguised as a Priest.

The novel shows the creeping influence of Facism even on such a region, where the peasants are so uninvolved with politics that the still believe they are ruled by the King of Spain. The peasants only concern is Bread and Wine, as the local self important Civil servant discovers to his horror. His impolite exit from the village marks the area being incorrectly labelled a trouble spot by the Government. The peasants are now forced to deal with the politics of the day.