大象传媒

Michael Portillo鈥檚 1936 Bradshaw鈥檚 Continental Railways Guide brings him to the Italian 'treasure island' of Sicily, full of natural beauty and 'scenery of the greatest charm'. But the interwar guidebook also tells him that the head of government in Italy is the fascist leader Signor Benito Mussolini.

On a railway journey from the capital, Palermo, through the ancient town of Agrigento and the port of Siracusa, to Europe鈥檚 largest volcano, Mount Etna, Michael explores Sicilian life under the dictatorship.

In Palermo, Michael takes in the art and architecture of the Futurists and feasts on spaghetti and sardines in the city鈥檚 Ballaro market. In the Capo district, he learns how the island鈥檚 distinctive puppets are made and is enchanted to meet one carrying a Bradshaw.

Among the spectacular ancient Greek and Roman temples of Agrigento, Michael hears of the passionate ten-year search by a British archaeologist at the time of his guide for a long-lost ancient Greek theatre.

The drama of the interwar period comes to life in front of Michael鈥檚 eyes as he joins six characters in search of an author at the Teatro Pirandello.