Book I
Introduced as a family member or acquaintance.
I
Teresa's husband, a simple and patient man who runs the shop below, sent to fetch a doctor while Teresa stays with Olga.
II
Fabio kneels by Olga's bed, pleading not to be driven away, but ultimately obeys Teresa.
IV
Fabio quietly returns and takes the baby from Teresa, comforting him as 'Little Gian-Luca come to Nonno'.
I
Rears up in bed, insists on baptizing Gian-Luca, performs the baptism himself, then pleads with Teresa.
IV
Offended by Gian-Luca's misapplication of 'Nonno,' he leaves the shop in silence.
I
Gian-Luca's grandfather, described as a mild-faced, placid deity moving among customers, distributing goods like God in the Garden of Eden.
II
Frowns at Teresa's remarks, muttering about the color of Gian-Luca's hair.
III
Undresses with Teresa and whispers with Nonna about Olga and Gian-Luca's hair and eyes.
IV
Shows Gian-Luca a photograph of Olga as a child and identifies her as Gian-Luca's mother.
V
Takes Gian-Luca for a walk, carries him home, and later explains the child's distress to Teresa as likely due to the heat.
I
Gian-Luca's grandfather, who sympathizes with the boy and argues with Teresa in Italian about his treatment.
III
Aged by Olga's death, suffers lumbago, secretly baptized Gian-Luca, feels abandoned by Teresa's loss of faith, gropes for a kinder God.
IV
Attacked by Nerone for naturalizing and neglecting the Church.
V
Gian-Luca's father; his decision to send Gian-Luca to a Board School causes a rift with Nerone, but they eventually reconcile over dominoes.
V
Gian-Luca's friend, who accompanies him in his childhood adventures and shares in his discoveries.
I
Gian-Luca's mild and friendly grandfather who runs a salumeria; his choice of school caused initial resentment but he is now at peace with neighbors.
II
Panics when Gian-Luca asks about his father, tries to protect him from the truth.
III
Fabio eats noisily, comments on the Chianti, and grumbles about rising prices and tobacco.
IV
Mentioned as not counting much, with old skin and pains in his back.
I
Gian-Luca consults him about the tinned soup; Fabio says he does not take it but sells it, leaving the ethical question vague.
II
His back pains disappear, and he serves in the shop without coat or waistcoat, praising God for increased sales.
VII
Dies during air raids.
I
Contributes a length of salame and a pork pie to the picnic basket.
IV
His side-door is the drop-off point for Gian-Luca.
I
Mentioned as having retired for the night.
II
Offers macaroons instead of books when Gian-Luca asks for reading material.
I
Struggles with the news of their wealth and his own aging. He loves Gian-Luca but cannot imagine a better education for him, planning to consult Nerone.
II
Seeks advice from Nerone and Mario about Gian-Luca's future, revealing his plan to make Gian-Luca a waiter.
III
His decision for Gian-Luca to work in the shop is deemed wise.
IV
Mentioned as someone customers look over Gian-Luca's head to address.
V
Described with little fears, weariness, sense of growing old, and back pains that make him think of God.
VII
Mentioned as having laughed when Gian-Luca left for the Librarian's, teasing him about making English friends.
Chapter VIII
Calls Gian-Luca to supper, interrupting his poetic efforts.
XI
Dies during air raids, a significant loss in the chapter.
II
Engages in spirited bargaining with the Padrone, ultimately agreeing to a deal and sharing wine.
III
Fabio is alarmed by Teresa's suspicions and worries about Gian-Luca's vulnerability, but Teresa calms him.
II
Consults with Mario about buying a secondhand dress-suit for Gian-Luca.
III
Fabio is mentioned as the reason the Padrone invites Gian-Luca on the excursion, to appear polite for business purposes.
I
Fabio is excited and nervous as he hosts Signor Millo in his shop, hoping to secure his custom.
II
Fabio is mentioned as weak and unlikely to oppose Gian-Luca's departure.
V
Jubilant and proud, repeatedly recounting his interview with Millo.
VI
Gives Gian-Luca a new suit and calls after him about business matters regarding Millo.
Book II
Relative whose death during air raids impacts the family.
I
Fabio is nostalgic for the old days when he handled salami and cheeses, now feeling sidelined and anxious about the debts incurred by Teresa's bold investments.
I
Fabio says he loves Gian-Luca, but his love is described as old and weak.
IV
Still lives with Gian-Luca and Teresa; Gian-Luca buys hamper contents from him.
I
Gian-Luca spends more time with him, hangs about the shop.
III
Prepared the luncheon basket for the outing.
V
Insists on helping furnish the new abode for his grandson.
VI
Gives away the bride; wishes Teresa were there and prays for Olga.
I
Mentioned as someone Gian-Luca might visit instead of coming home.
V
Plays dominoes nightly with Nerone; eyesight failing.
V
Gian-Luca's father, who dies during air raids, a pivotal loss in the chapter.
I
Old and frightened, he weakly echoes Teresa's words but fears the shop's denuded state and the inability to restock.
IV
Joins the gathering, initially relieved by Geppe's news, but is moved by Rocca's speech.
VI
Grows increasingly futile and despairing over wartime shortages and the family's financial troubles, weeping openly.
I
Shares Teresa's fears for the business but kisses the flag in a display of patriotic loyalty.
IX
Weeps as he kisses Gian-Luca, remembering the past.
VII
Dies during air raids, a significant loss in Gian-Luca's life.
I
Teresa's husband, who scrubbed and soldered empty tins to fill the glass cases; lies beside Teresa at night.
II
Suffers from severe back pain, becomes distracted from business duties, and relies on Teresa for care.
III
Forced by Teresa to make pasta despite his age and back pain, he works in anguish.
IV
Dies during the air raids, found with his face in the flour after suffering from fear and physical ailments.
V
Dead and mourned by Nerone and Teresa; his death triggers memories and reflections.
IV
Mentioned as dead, contributing to Maddalena's fear of death.
V
Mentioned as one of those who lived by food, alongside Teresa, Rocca, and Millo.
Book III
Mentioned in the context of family and early memories.
V
Gian-Luca's brother, who shares in the discovery of the packing cases and later dies during air raids.
III
Mentioned in Gian-Luca's memory as the one who recommended rubbing soap on blisters.
IV
Mentioned as having given Gian-Luca a prescription for his feet.
XII
Gian-Luca's brother, whose death during air raids is a significant loss.
