# Padrone — Adam’s Breed character guide

> Padrone in Adam’s Breed by Radclyffe Hall.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** The Padrone, III Everyone, the smiling Padrone, the tearful Padrone, the harassed Padrone

**First appearance:** 0000-book-i

## Snapshot

The sly, smiling master of the Capo di Monte, who dreams of silk curtains and fashionable prices while his waiters charm clients with tinned soup passed off as fresh.

## Who they are

The Padrone runs the Capo di Monte with an aloof manner and a shrewd eye for the main chance, swearing to Mario that he will bring all London to his tables. He has the bump of selection, a beautiful golden-haired wife, and a willingness to let the little round tins do their work while the chef pretends otherwise. His ambition and his small deceits give Gian-Luca his first lessons in the world's comfortable compromises, and his rise shadows the boy's own uncertain future.

## Relationships

### [Gian-Luca](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters/gian_luca)

_professional_

Padrone is Gian-Luca's boss or master, their relationship defined by authority and subordination.

### [Gian-Luca](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters/gian_luca)

_professional_

Padrone is Gian-Luca's boss or master, their relationship defined by authority and subordination.

### [Gian-Luca](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters/gian_luca)

_professional_

Padrone is Gian-Luca's boss or master, their relationship defined by authority and subordination.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/i)

The owner of the Capo di Monte, described as sly and aloof, with ambitions to bring all London to the restaurant.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/i)

The restaurant owner, described as having a devilish temper and a genius for business; his gestures must be learned.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iii)

The Padrona's jealous husband, mentioned as adoring and suffering, venting his anguish on the waiters.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iv)

Oversees the restaurant with a terrifying silent sign-language, building tension for later reprimands.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/v)

Slave-driver who shouts at Mario for his mistakes, checking off errors with fierce muttering.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/ii)

Visits Fabio to negotiate a large order of tomatoes, displaying shrewd bargaining and a growing respect for Fabio.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iv)

The owner of the Capo di Monte, described as large, black-browed, and insolent. He is the husband of the Padrona and a figure of authority that Gian-Luca both fears and resents.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/i)

Interrupts the first tea; speaks approvingly of Gian-Luca and hopes for a son like him.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iii)

The Padrone is boisterous and drinks heavily, confiding in Gian-Luca about his fears that his young wife might leave him.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iii)

Reacts wrathfully to Gian-Luca's news, accuses him of ingratitude, and storms out.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/ii)

The Padrone is now prosperous and less fierce, with a new baby (the Padroncino) and red silk curtains at the Capo.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/ii)

Referred to as Millo, the life force of the Doric, who thinks wise and profitable thoughts about food.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iii)

Forced to hire women due to wartime shortages, promotes Mario and expresses gratitude.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/chapters/iv)

Struggles with inadequate service and cannot afford a band at the Capo.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters/padrone
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/adam_s_breed_se/characters