When young Vittorio Innocente’s mother, Cristina, is bitten by a snake in the family stable, no one sees the blue-eyed stranger leaving except for Vittorio. He struggles to keep his mother’s secret but secrets in a small village are hard to keep, and while Cristina’s belly gradually grows under her loose dresses, they find themselves shunned by their superstitious neighbours. It was also adapted into a miniseries starring Sophia Loren."-- Provided by publisher.

Originally published: Dunvegan, Ont, Canada : Cormorant Books, Ã1990.