# Nerone — Adam’s Breed character guide > Nerone in Adam’s Breed by Radclyffe Hall. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Rocca, gibed Nerone, II Nerone, the miserly Nerone, cross old Nerone, old Nerone **First appearance:** 0000-book-i ## Snapshot A cross, miserly old man with a wooden leg, Nerone stumps through the Casa Boselli to fetch Fabio for dominoes and quarrel with his thankless grandson Geppe. ## Who they are Nerone presides over his own shop and household with a sour tongue, forever complaining that his daughter Rosa's children are useless and that Geppe steals his cigarettes. Yet he adores babies of any nationality and secretly dotes on Gian-Luca, seeing only the boy's virtues while detesting his own kin. His running feuds and stubborn pride make him a comic, prickly fixture of the Italian quarter, and his grudging affection for Gian-Luca quietly measures the boy's place in the community. ## Relationships ### [Gian-Luca](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters/gian_luca) _friendship_ Gian-Luca and Nerone are close companions, often seen together in social or work settings. ### [Fabio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters/fabio) _friendship_ Fabio and Nerone are friends or allies, often interacting in shared social circles. ### [Rosa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters/rosa) _friendship_ Nerone and Rosa are close friends, with a bond of mutual trust and companionship. ### [Mario Varese](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters/mario_varese) _friendship_ Mario Varese and Nerone are friends and likely part of the same social group. ### [Geppe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters/geppe) _friendship_ Geppe and Nerone share a friendly, supportive relationship. ### [Fabio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters/fabio) _friendship_ Fabio and Nerone are friends or allies, often interacting in shared social circles. ### [Gian-Luca](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters/gian_luca) _friendship_ Gian-Luca and Nerone are close companions, often seen together in social or work settings. ### [Gian-Luca](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters/gian_luca) _friendship_ Gian-Luca and Nerone are close companions, often seen together in social or work settings. ### [Geppe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters/geppe) _friendship_ Geppe and Nerone share a friendly, supportive relationship. ### [Mario Varese](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters/mario_varese) _friendship_ Mario Varese and Nerone are friends and likely part of the same social group. ### [Rosa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters/rosa) _friendship_ Nerone and Rosa are close friends, with a bond of mutual trust and companionship. ### [Fabio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters/fabio) _friendship_ Fabio and Nerone are friends or allies, often interacting in shared social circles. ## In the story ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/ii) Rosa's father, mentioned as the tobacco seller. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iii) Owner of the little shop where a mongrel wanders in and out. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iv) Laughs triumphantly at Fabio's discomfort, then engages in their usual banter. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/i) Mentioned in comparison to Teresa's bushy eyebrows; known for having large rages. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/v) The butcher who greets Fabio and displays the slaughtered kids outside his shop. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iv) Angry wooden leg; confronts Fabio about neglecting the Church. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/v) A tobacco shop owner with a deep but contradictory attachment to Italy and the Church; feels personally outraged by Gian-Luca's schooling and temporarily breaks off friendship with Fabio. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/i) A neighbor who criticizes Fabio for 'desertion of his country' and pities Gian-Luca for having no Church. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iv) Comes to fetch Fabio for dominoes, has a wooden leg. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/ii) Makes a felt top for his skylark's cage and curses the 'accursed country' of London. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iii) Interjects with a suggestion to go to Southend, which is dismissed by Mario. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/i) Generously donates two bottles of Orvieto for the holiday occasion. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/ix) A local bully or antagonist, embodying the cruelty Gian-Luca faces from his peers. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as the person Fabio intends to consult about Gian-Luca's future. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/ii) Hosts the meeting in his bird room, argues with Mario about the Capo di Monte, and is skeptical of Fabio's plans. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as Rocca, the butcher who loves opera and once knew Garibaldi. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/v) Visits often, praises Gian-Luca, complains about Rosa's children Geppe and Berta, and tries to pick quarrels with Fabio. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/i) Nerone is among the friends who admire Teresa's business acumen. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/ii) Nerone is miserly and furious with Geppe's laziness and theft from the shop. He refuses to pay wages and threatens to call the police, blaming Mario for spoiling the boy. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iii) Outraged by Berta's behavior, especially missing Mass; responds with silent treatment, which the family appreciates. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/i) Cross old Nerone, who perhaps gives more than fondness. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/i) Gian-Luca visits his place on pretext of buying cigarettes. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/vii) Sulky in his cups, thinking of a clock, and refuses to tell Aunt Ottavia about his wooden leg. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iii) Grows homesick for Italy after Geppe's departure, repeatedly postponing selling his business and returning to Siena. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/v) Feeling prosperous; hires a young assistant; plays dominoes with Fabio; longs for Italy but stays for the shillings. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/i) Moans about ruin but boasts of having sent his money home, showing foresight. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/i) A former soldier, he laments being too old to fight and swears with tears in his eyes. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iv) Welcomes Geppe home by closing the shop early and gathering the family, showing a rare concession. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iv) Delivers a grave, patriotic speech invoking the Risorgimento and Garibaldi, challenging Geppe's claim that Italy will remain neutral. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/vi) Finds consolation in selling cigarettes to soldiers but is angered by Geppe's laziness and bragging; secretly adores Berta's twins. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/i) Becomes possessed with patriotic zeal, giving away cigarettes and declaring himself 'Italy, the eternal.' ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/ii) Looks on with old, patient, loving eyes, proud that his grandson is a soldier. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iii) Mario shares his promotion news with Nerone. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iii) Speaks freely about Teresa's large debts, calling Fabio a fool. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/v) Mourns Fabio deeply, gives the dominoes a symbolic funeral, and plans to return to Italy after the war. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/i) Sends Rosa to help in the shop and visits in the evenings to drink Amarena and talk with Maddalena and Teresa. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/ii) Sighs that Fabio would have been proud of the news. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iii) Orders an enlargement of Geppe's photo, drapes it with a flag, and invents heroic tales about Geppe's death. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/v) Referenced as Rocca, one of the figures associated with the food-driven existence. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iv) Visits Maddalena and suggests Gian-Luca may be ill and needs a doctor. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/i) Defends Gian-Luca against Rocca's accusations; stays in England for the profitable exchange rate, though homesick. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/vii) A figure associated with the Capo di Monte, possibly a servant or worker. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/i) Recalled in contrast to Sisto; his lies about tobacco are seen as 'pure white' compared to Sisto's, and his grasping nature is paired with hard work. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/ix) A character involved in Gian-Luca's early experiences. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/i) His faith in Gian-Luca is shaken; exclaims that Gian-Luca must have gone crazy. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/ii) Listens to Rosa's complaints, spoils the twins, and is puzzled when Gian-Luca kisses him goodbye. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iv) Gian-Luca compares the gipsies' bright eyes to Nerone's skylarks. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/xii) A figure from Gian-Luca's past, associated with cruelty and suffering. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iii) Referenced as the one who shut away the sky from his skylarks, symbolizing oppression. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/i) Listed among those who will go with Maddalena to Lyndhurst. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/ii) Stumps beside them with his wooden leg, his loins weakened. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iii) Mutters about the indignity of the stable, then falls silent and prays the rosary; leaves the stable awkwardly. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters/nerone - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters