# Costantino Ledda — After the Divorce character guide > Costantino Ledda in After the Divorce by Grazia Deledda. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Costantino, poor Costantino, Saint Costantino, Ledda **First appearance:** 0001-after-the-divorce ## Snapshot A freed exile whose wrongful conviction has left him dissembling, drinking, and burning with a rage he cannot act on. ## Who they are Costantino returns to Orlei after prison to find his wife Giovanna married to another man, and his days dissolve into tavern generosity, sleepless nights, and a habit of concealment learned behind bars. He still loves Giovanna, yet knows the woman he loved no longer exists, and he drifts between secret meetings with her and a torpor he cannot shake. His quiet refusal to start over — or to strike back — makes him the still center around which the village's gossip and betrayals turn. ## Relationships ### [Giovanna Era](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/characters/giovanna_era) _romantic_ Costantino and Giovanna are former spouses with unresolved romantic tension and emotional conflict. ### [Aunt Bachissia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/characters/aunt_bachissia) _family_ Aunt Bachissia is Costantino's aunt, often mediating and offering advice. ### [Isidoro Pane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/characters/isidoro_pane) _friendship_ Costantino and Isidoro are close friends and allies, supporting each other through hardships. ### [Giacobbe Dejas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/characters/giacobbe_dejas) _rivalry_ Costantino and Giacobbe are rivals, often clashing over land, honor, and Giovanna. ### [Brontu Dejas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/characters/brontu_dejas) _rivalry_ Brontu and Costantino are bitter rivals, competing for Giovanna's affection and social standing. ### [Doctor Puddu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/characters/doctor_puddu) _professional_ Costantino and Doctor Puddu have a professional relationship, with Puddu providing medical care. ### [Priest Elias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/characters/priest_elias) _social_ Costantino and Priest Elias have a formal acquaintance, with Elias offering occasional counsel. ### [Mattea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/characters/mattea) _family_ Costantino and Mattea are siblings, sharing a supportive and affectionate relationship. ### [Aunt Bachissia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/characters/aunt_bachissia) _family_ Aunt Bachissia is Costantino's aunt, often mediating and offering advice. ### [Isidoro Pane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/characters/isidoro_pane) _friendship_ Costantino and Isidoro are close friends and allies, supporting each other through hardships. ### [Giovanna Era](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/characters/giovanna_era) _romantic_ Costantino and Giovanna are former spouses with unresolved romantic tension and emotional conflict. ### [Giovanna Era](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/characters/giovanna_era) _romantic_ Costantino and Giovanna are former spouses with unresolved romantic tension and emotional conflict. ## In the story ### [After the Divorce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/after-the-divorce) Giovanna's former husband, now divorced and likely still in prison or recently released. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-i-ii) The prisoner on trial; he declares his innocence in court, receives a 27-year sentence, and appears aged and broken when brought out. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-i-iv) Mentioned as having been sentenced to twenty-seven years; Giovanna plans to visit him in prison with the baby. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-i-v) Removed to Cagliari prison, sends a letter urging Giovanna to raise their child in fear of God and asking to be remembered to Isidoro. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-i-vi) Endures a stormy sea voyage and solitary confinement; composes lauds to San Costantino; receives a letter from Giovanna and feels alarm about her working for the Dejases. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-i-viii) Suffering from cold, weakness, and despair in prison; his love for Giovanna is his sole obsession; he sends his earnings to her despite his own needs. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-xi) Giovanna's former husband, whom she idealizes in her memories and dreams of returning. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-xv) Returns to Orlei after imprisonment, grappling with despair and a changed identity; his reunion with Isidoro is marked by emotional turmoil. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-xvi) Returns to Orlei, receives visitors, struggles with bitterness and homesickness, prowls near Giovanna's house, and feigns indifference while planning to leave. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-xvii) Suffering from isolation and inner turmoil, he waits for Mattea and struggles with his feelings for Giovanna. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-epilogue) Visits Aunt Bachissia's cottage to relive past memories; becomes angry and anxious upon learning that Aunt Martina suspects his affair with Giovanna; struggles with hatred and longing. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/characters/costantino_ledda - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/characters