The Catholic School

Edoardo Albinati’s The Catholic School is a semiautobiographical coming-of-age narrative set against the backdrop of the infamous 1975 Circeo massacre, where three affluent young men committed horrific crimes. This award-winning work intricately explores the cultural and social landscape of contemporary Italy, delving into the life at San Leone Magno, a prestigious all-boys Catholic high school, during the late 1960s and 1970s. Through personal reflection and vivid character portraits, Albinati examines the intersection of adolescence, morality, and societal decay, revealing profound insights into the legacy of abuse and the complexities of masculinity within the Italian bourgeoisie.