Little World of Don Camillo; by Giovanni Guareschi.

A small river, Po, and the valley where the little village of Don Camillo is nestled along with other similar ones. Don Camillo though is living in times that are trying to say the least. Communists rule - at least the village, and there is no way but to be placating and wily.

And there is the partner Don Camillo always talks to, intimately, as if it were a mere human friend who was a little higher in capability and authority but intimate nevertheless, pretty much like a child talking to a mother.

It is a bit reminiscent of another culture separated by several countries in this intimate conversation, and that might explain the enormous popularity of the series in our nation when it appeared.

Truly delightful and absolutely worth reading, the whole series, over and over, several times.