Private Angelo

For the film adaptation, see Private Angelo (film).

Private Angelo

First edition
Author	Eric Linklater
Language	English
Genre	satire
Publisher	Jonathan Cape
Publication date	1946
Publication place	Scotland
Media type	paperback
Pages	272
ISBN	0-907675-61-1
OCLC	13668586

Private Angelo was written by Scottish author Eric Linklater and first published in 1946. It was made into a 1949 film of the same name by Pilgrim Pictures, produced by and starring Peter Ustinov, as well as adapted for the stage by Mike Maran Productions.

The novel covers the (mis)adventures of an Italian soldier during World War II. The offspring of an English father and an Italian mother, the eponymous main character of the novel found himself unwillingly drafted into the Italian army, with Count Pontefiore, Commanding Officer of the 914th Regiment of Tuscan Infantry, as his colonel. Not only was the Count Angelo's patron, but he was also a former lover of Angelo's mother.

The novel opened with the Italian armistice of 1943, and traced the fortunes of Angelo as he sought to survive and regain a measure of control over his life during the turmoils of the war.

Though distinctly lacking in dono di coraggio (gift of courage), an annoying but life-saving characteristic, Angelo strove to maintain his cheerfulness and beautiful voice in chaotic circumstances beyond his control.

External links

• Spectator, The: War but not quite Waugh (Copyright Spectator December 18-December 25, 1999)
• Mike Maran Productions - Private Angelo (a stage adaptation)
• Nicol, Christopher (2012) Eric Linklater's Private Angelo and The Dark of Summer. Glasgow: ASLS ISBN 978-1906841119