Don Camillo is the hot-headed priest of a small village in the Po river valley in northern Italy, in the early postwar period. He is constantly at odds with the communist mayor Peppone and is also on very close terms with the crucifix in his village church. Through the crucifix he hears the voice of Christ. Don Camillo is a big man, tall and strong with hard fists. But this summary does no justice to this wonderful must-read book.