Two Women (novel)

Two Women is a 1957 historical fiction novel by Alberto Moravia, originally published in Italian as La Ciociara. The novel tells the story of Cesira, a widowed shopkeeper from Rome, and her teenage daughter, Rosetta, as they flee the Allied bombing of the city during World War II. Seeking refuge in the rural countryside of Ciociaria, the women encounter both kindness and brutality from the local population and the soldiers occupying the region.

The narrative explores themes of survival, resilience, the impact of war on civilians, particularly women, and the loss of innocence. Cesira, fiercely protective of her daughter, struggles to provide for them and maintain their dignity amidst the chaos and violence. The novel also delves into the complex relationship between mother and daughter, and how it is tested by the traumatic experiences they endure.

A key event in the novel is the women's brutal rape by Moroccan soldiers, an incident that profoundly affects both Cesira and Rosetta, leaving lasting psychological scars and shattering their sense of security. The novel grapples with the aftermath of this trauma and the challenges of rebuilding their lives.

Two Women is considered a significant work of Italian literature, offering a stark and unflinching portrayal of the human cost of war. The novel was adapted into a successful film of the same name in 1960, directed by Vittorio De Sica and starring Sophia Loren.