Sestre Materassi

The main characters are two unmarried sisters, Teresa and Carolina Materassi, who lead a quiet and secluded life as excellent seamstresses and embroiderers. Through their diligence, they have managed to rebuild the family fortune that their father had previously squandered. They are joined by their third sister, Giselda, disappointed in love, and their faithful maid, Niobe.

Their settled daily life is disrupted by the arrival of their young and charming nephew Remo, the son of their sister Augusta. Remo, then fourteen years old, brings liveliness and joy to their home, but over time he becomes increasingly demanding and manipulative. He exploits the love and loyalty of his aunts, asking them for money to finance his debauched habits, which gradually leads to their financial ruin.

Palazzeschi uses this novel to contrast traditional values ​​and modern temptations, exploring themes of family dynamics, female identity, and social change. The writing style combines humor and irony with deep emotional layers, making The Materassi Sisters a significant work of 20th-century Italian literature.