Beppe Fenoglio's A Private Affair is one of the great books of the Second World War and a masterpiece of modern Italian literature. Milton is the nom de guerre of the book's protagonist, a one-time student of English literature who, in the chaotic last years of the war, has joined a partisan band. Before the war, gangly Milton was in love with the beautiful Fulvia-Fulvia let him read poetry to her-and now he hears that a friend and fellow-partisan, handsome Giorgio, was sleeping with her at the time. Jealous and furious, Milton hastens to confront Giorgio, only to discover that he has been captured by the Germans. A Private Affair tells the story of Milton's mad quest-pursued through mud and fog and rain and terror, while barely evading German and Fascist patrols-to rescue his friend and settle a personal grudge from a lost world of peace.