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Lunch With Mussolini
In the spring of 1945, with the end of the Second World War in sight, a German officer orders the reprisal shooting of eight women in a small alpine village near Lake Como.
Nearly fifty years later, in a suburb of Sydney, the daughter of one of the victims discovers her mother's executioner quietly living under an assumed name a few streets away.
Aware of the impotence of the law, Colombina is determined to avenge the past. She makes up her mind to confront the old man and make him pay for his crime.
Colombina in turn is forced to confront her own past and her own involvement.
In Lunch with Mussolini four men meet every Thursday to share their passion for storytelling.
Derek Hansen weaves a gripping tale of romance and tragedy, heroism and treachery, which twists and turns to an ending as stunning as it is unexpected.
Nearly fifty years later, in a suburb of Sydney, the daughter of one of the victims discovers her mother's executioner quietly living under an assumed name a few streets away.
Aware of the impotence of the law, Colombina is determined to avenge the past. She makes up her mind to confront the old man and make him pay for his crime.
Colombina in turn is forced to confront her own past and her own involvement.
In Lunch with Mussolini four men meet every Thursday to share their passion for storytelling.
Derek Hansen weaves a gripping tale of romance and tragedy, heroism and treachery, which twists and turns to an ending as stunning as it is unexpected.
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1994
16 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Derek Hansen
31 books45 followersDerek was born in London in June 1944 about the same time Hitler thought London was a great place to send his V1 flying bombs.
At the age of four he convinced his parents to emigrate and spent the next sixteen years in Auckland being called a Pommy and a wimp for playing soccer and not rugby.
His first published short story appeared in his grammar school yearbook.
Equipped with a million ideas for novels he approached the leading national newspaper for a traineeship and was told he was too undisciplined; approached publishers and was told he was too young; approached an advertising agency and was welcomed into their embrace – they knew a fast, facile, fashionably glib mind when they saw one.
His talent took him London in the sixties where his quirky style and commercial instincts brought a rapid rise through the ranks to the country’s top advertising agency, accumulating many international awards along the way.
Derek was lured to Australia by the usual inducements – money, sunshine, money, lifestyle, money, etc – and spent the next twenty-five years doing ads and wishing he was writing novels instead.
About the time Bryce Courtenay wrote The Power of One and Peter Carey wrote Bliss, Derek and his partners sold their advertising agency and three years later he was free to pursue his true writing ambitions.
Having spent a lifetime reducing masses of information to less than 100 words or thirty seconds of TV time, working in exactly the opposite direction did not come easy.
An idea for a novel can be written on a folded napkin. What follows takes thousands of tablecloths.
One day over lunch Derek had the bright idea of breaking his novel down into more easily managed bite-sized pieces and so the idea for the Lunch series was born.
Lunch with the Generals became an instant bestseller in Australasia and was sold into Britain, Scandinavia, France and Germany. Lunch with Mussolini followed but it was Sole Survivor that piqued American interest.
Simon and Schuster decided to publish an American edition and Kennedy-Marshall (Sixth Sense, Snow Falling on Cedars) bought the rights to the movie on behalf of Disney in a $US750,000 deal.
Three weeks before the movie was due to go into production, shooting began on Castaway with Tom Hanks. Two movies about a man on an island surrounded by salt water was deemed one too many, and Sole Survivor the movie bit the dust. How typical of Hollywood to choose to make the wrong movie.
Derek has subsequently published a further five novels and three collections of short stories, but nothing quite as quirky or funny as his latest novel, A Man You Can Bank On.
Derek is married, has two grown-up children and lives most of the time in Avalon on Pittwater, and some of the time in Doonan on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Kingfish, salmon, bonito, bream and flathead live just outside his back door and the surf rises a short walk from the front door.
Someone had to have this life and Derek is just so glad that someone is him.
At the age of four he convinced his parents to emigrate and spent the next sixteen years in Auckland being called a Pommy and a wimp for playing soccer and not rugby.
His first published short story appeared in his grammar school yearbook.
Equipped with a million ideas for novels he approached the leading national newspaper for a traineeship and was told he was too undisciplined; approached publishers and was told he was too young; approached an advertising agency and was welcomed into their embrace – they knew a fast, facile, fashionably glib mind when they saw one.
His talent took him London in the sixties where his quirky style and commercial instincts brought a rapid rise through the ranks to the country’s top advertising agency, accumulating many international awards along the way.
Derek was lured to Australia by the usual inducements – money, sunshine, money, lifestyle, money, etc – and spent the next twenty-five years doing ads and wishing he was writing novels instead.
About the time Bryce Courtenay wrote The Power of One and Peter Carey wrote Bliss, Derek and his partners sold their advertising agency and three years later he was free to pursue his true writing ambitions.
Having spent a lifetime reducing masses of information to less than 100 words or thirty seconds of TV time, working in exactly the opposite direction did not come easy.
An idea for a novel can be written on a folded napkin. What follows takes thousands of tablecloths.
One day over lunch Derek had the bright idea of breaking his novel down into more easily managed bite-sized pieces and so the idea for the Lunch series was born.
Lunch with the Generals became an instant bestseller in Australasia and was sold into Britain, Scandinavia, France and Germany. Lunch with Mussolini followed but it was Sole Survivor that piqued American interest.
Simon and Schuster decided to publish an American edition and Kennedy-Marshall (Sixth Sense, Snow Falling on Cedars) bought the rights to the movie on behalf of Disney in a $US750,000 deal.
Three weeks before the movie was due to go into production, shooting began on Castaway with Tom Hanks. Two movies about a man on an island surrounded by salt water was deemed one too many, and Sole Survivor the movie bit the dust. How typical of Hollywood to choose to make the wrong movie.
Derek has subsequently published a further five novels and three collections of short stories, but nothing quite as quirky or funny as his latest novel, A Man You Can Bank On.
Derek is married, has two grown-up children and lives most of the time in Avalon on Pittwater, and some of the time in Doonan on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Kingfish, salmon, bonito, bream and flathead live just outside his back door and the surf rises a short walk from the front door.
Someone had to have this life and Derek is just so glad that someone is him.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 28, 2012
Derek Hansen is a master of fiction. How this book has not received more reviews is beyond me. He tells his story through the mouth of Lucio, one of five older men who meet at Gancio’s restaurant every Thursday. It’s Lucio’s turn to narrate a story but this story proves to be the most challenging of his and their lives. Hansen is impeccable and masterful as he weaves his magic making this book one that is truly impossible to put down.
There are a vast number of characters dispersed between the events in this book and each one is brilliantly written and compelling to read about. No one is straight-forward, although I found myself preferring the characters of the past, rather than the storytellers of the present.
The two layers of the book; that of the subtle manoeuvrings and machinations of the five men and that of the story which is told by one of their number makes this a thrilling read. One moment you are totally immersed in Italy’s past during the Second World War before being dragged back to the present to see how this story is affecting the men it is being told to. The plot is absolute genius and it was a pleasure to watch it unfold, never truly knowing where you would end up. It was so well crafted and crammed with fantastic detail.
Hansen is an astounding writer, who has carved a secure place in historical fiction. If I could it give more stars I would.
There are a vast number of characters dispersed between the events in this book and each one is brilliantly written and compelling to read about. No one is straight-forward, although I found myself preferring the characters of the past, rather than the storytellers of the present.
The two layers of the book; that of the subtle manoeuvrings and machinations of the five men and that of the story which is told by one of their number makes this a thrilling read. One moment you are totally immersed in Italy’s past during the Second World War before being dragged back to the present to see how this story is affecting the men it is being told to. The plot is absolute genius and it was a pleasure to watch it unfold, never truly knowing where you would end up. It was so well crafted and crammed with fantastic detail.
Hansen is an astounding writer, who has carved a secure place in historical fiction. If I could it give more stars I would.
June 23, 2024
So another recommendation from someone so long ago that it’s been on my ‘want to read’ list for years and I can’t remember who recommended this book or why.
I should have been more aware that this book was going to be about World War II but for some reason I thought the title was a joke title and that Mussolini was going to be an abstract concept - not a minor character in the story.
So now I’ve worked out that the writer has created a world where 4 or 5 Aussie boomer men get together for lunch once a week at an Italian restaurant in Sydney and one of them will tell a story over several of these lunches whilst the other characters listen. The series of his books is called ‘lunch with’ and all the book titles start with those words. I did not know that when picking up this book, but it works because the writer gets to use the same setup and characters for each book and then weave in the current storytellers story. It’s a clever set up and I can see how these books would be super popular with baby boomer men. They seem to be about 30 years old because the men call each other wogs - which I can’t see happening in 2024.
I hate books about war - they all end up coming to similar conclusions - basically that war is evil. Wow. How profound. Anyway - despite the fact that I was not the target audience for this book, and the fact that I don’t love World War II based stories, I actually didn’t mind this book too much. It was well written and the characters and story were interesting and the story within a story set up enhanced it all and provided a lovely way for the writer to provide moral commentary from several different points of view in a way that wasn’t too clunky.
I should have been more aware that this book was going to be about World War II but for some reason I thought the title was a joke title and that Mussolini was going to be an abstract concept - not a minor character in the story.
So now I’ve worked out that the writer has created a world where 4 or 5 Aussie boomer men get together for lunch once a week at an Italian restaurant in Sydney and one of them will tell a story over several of these lunches whilst the other characters listen. The series of his books is called ‘lunch with’ and all the book titles start with those words. I did not know that when picking up this book, but it works because the writer gets to use the same setup and characters for each book and then weave in the current storytellers story. It’s a clever set up and I can see how these books would be super popular with baby boomer men. They seem to be about 30 years old because the men call each other wogs - which I can’t see happening in 2024.
I hate books about war - they all end up coming to similar conclusions - basically that war is evil. Wow. How profound. Anyway - despite the fact that I was not the target audience for this book, and the fact that I don’t love World War II based stories, I actually didn’t mind this book too much. It was well written and the characters and story were interesting and the story within a story set up enhanced it all and provided a lovely way for the writer to provide moral commentary from several different points of view in a way that wasn’t too clunky.
September 8, 2017
Till the very last chapter, I was going to give a 5-star to this perfectly-built book. Characters, stories, and links between them were cleverly manufactured and described. the last part was a lukewarm ending, though. Maybe, its first parts being amazingly written required more than a casual ending.
Going through this story, you can find ordinary people, a war made them enemies. There is no one completely good or extremely bad. every person has good sides and bad sides. You see a German general during WW2, who supposedly should be cruel and merciless but NO! he is as human as the old woman being shot, innocently.
I loved the book, recommend it and have decided to read the other two of the series.
Going through this story, you can find ordinary people, a war made them enemies. There is no one completely good or extremely bad. every person has good sides and bad sides. You see a German general during WW2, who supposedly should be cruel and merciless but NO! he is as human as the old woman being shot, innocently.
I loved the book, recommend it and have decided to read the other two of the series.
February 18, 2013
I loved this. Stories within stories. Complex and engrossing. Highly receommended.
December 26, 2017
This is the second novel I’ve read by this author and what a fine story teller he is ! Derek seems to have the knack of interweaving multiple characters into a clever and believable narrative. I found it very easy to become immersed into the story . This is an engaging account of life during the Second World War both in Germany and Italy and the fall out effects on later generations. I really enjoyed it.
January 20, 2020
Written in an incredibly unique format this novel is a roller coaster of emotion. Enlightening in its historical nature to the lives of both Italian and German soldiers and civilians through world war 2, and the aftermath of lingering hate, love and desire for revenge and the need for healing. Before commencing I read multiple reviews where the ending drew dissatisfaction, however for me, I felt the ending of poignant and psychologically deep in its outcome and sentiment.
May 10, 2023
Absolutely loved this most beautifully and sensitively written book. I moaned to my wife about being fed up of reading average books so, being a former English teacher, she throws out a recommendation to me. That's what happened here and I'm so happy to be enjoying my reading again. The plot is simple but entwined, and certainly kept me gripped throughout. Read it on holiday in Cyprus. Perfect.
March 10, 2020
This book was much better than I thought it would be given how hard it was to get a copy. But it was an interesting work of historical fiction taking place in Italy during and after World War II. I also learned a lot more about the fire bombing of Dresden by reading this novel.
July 29, 2023
Ploughed through this as was recommended. Needed scissors. I get the plot and understood the history but it dragged for me. Neat ended that the author had been working towards but too long to get there
July 3, 2018
It took a while before I got into the story. Towards the end I was watching the page numbers and wished for it not to finish. Very well told story
August 8, 2018
Loved it. Just like the first time. Now for the Generals.
December 26, 2018
Wow. I finished this book days ago and have started another. But I’m still thinking about it. I learnt so much. This is from the German and Italian perspectives. Beautifully written.
February 25, 2020
Great storytelling of a sort within a story. It keeps you captivated with an interesting twist! Enjoyed reading this book immensely and a little bit worried about the outcome.
December 31, 2022
Gripping!
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April 2, 2025I found the historical part of the story interesting but I did not like the present day part, especially the lunch part. I found the ending a bit weak.
July 13, 2009
N.B. My review for Lunch With Mussolini starts the same as with Lunch With A Soldier.
Derek Hansen’s ‘lunch with’ series is a compelling read. Four old guys meet every week at the same restaurant for lunch in Sydney and each takes turns at telling a story. The invisible line of fact vs fiction is often blurred with masterful story-telling and the listeners (the mates of whichever old guy is telling his/the story) and readers are often not sure what to believe and what to not.
Well written fiction that is very descriptive and takes you into the world of whichever historical story is being told. The characters are complex - some kind, some evil but often than not in Hansen’s stories a mixture of contradictions.
In Lunch with Mussolini, the cruel aspects of the human side of the second world war is well portrayed and in particular viewing it from German and also Italian eyes is insightful. Reading about the bombing of Dresden in particular gave me a better understanding of the ordinary German’s suffering.
Derek Hansen’s ‘lunch with’ series is a compelling read. Four old guys meet every week at the same restaurant for lunch in Sydney and each takes turns at telling a story. The invisible line of fact vs fiction is often blurred with masterful story-telling and the listeners (the mates of whichever old guy is telling his/the story) and readers are often not sure what to believe and what to not.
Well written fiction that is very descriptive and takes you into the world of whichever historical story is being told. The characters are complex - some kind, some evil but often than not in Hansen’s stories a mixture of contradictions.
In Lunch with Mussolini, the cruel aspects of the human side of the second world war is well portrayed and in particular viewing it from German and also Italian eyes is insightful. Reading about the bombing of Dresden in particular gave me a better understanding of the ordinary German’s suffering.
January 6, 2016
A really well written book, which I enjoyed with reservations. In my opinion there was way too much historical information padding out the story. I have no objection to being educated as well as reading for enjoyment, but Mr Hansen delivers way too much education, interspersed with not enough of a really good tale. For those who want a blow-by-blow depiction of what happened in WW2, there are many excellent books for their perusal - to include so much detail in a work of fiction is taking one away from the main story.
Another thing that grated with me was the "encounters" with real life persons, which may be acceptable in comic stories like "The 100 Year Old Man..." - but is out of place in a serious work of fiction.
I gave this novel 3 stars for the above reasons...had there been less history and more story I would have awarded four.
Another thing that grated with me was the "encounters" with real life persons, which may be acceptable in comic stories like "The 100 Year Old Man..." - but is out of place in a serious work of fiction.
I gave this novel 3 stars for the above reasons...had there been less history and more story I would have awarded four.
July 23, 2013
Another brilliant lunch date with these five (Gancio became one of the group in this book) gentlemen. Centres around Hitler's assault on the world with an Italian twist, hence Mussolini and fascism play a strong role. You get to experience history from inside the Italian north at this time and what the partisans were doing for the war effort. The story then reveals a modern day dilemma that gets more intriguing as you read. You can tell these books are so well researched and the writing is powerfully driven by the narrative of the players as well as Lucio the "storyteller". Can't wait for the next lunch date.
March 22, 2014
Hansen has done so many things so well in this novel.
I am captivated by the way he uses a solitary, fairly ubiquitous setting - a restaurant in the present tense - to anchor the main story which, as the title suggests, hearkens back to the 1940s. The manner in which the main historical story is entwined with the present tense, the story teller and his audience is clever indeed. As a reader, I felt empathy for the listeners in the novel because they were suddenly confronted with the 'reality' that this is no longer a tale and scenario that can be kept at arm's length. I felt involved. I felt that I too had to make a decision.
Most engaging.
I am captivated by the way he uses a solitary, fairly ubiquitous setting - a restaurant in the present tense - to anchor the main story which, as the title suggests, hearkens back to the 1940s. The manner in which the main historical story is entwined with the present tense, the story teller and his audience is clever indeed. As a reader, I felt empathy for the listeners in the novel because they were suddenly confronted with the 'reality' that this is no longer a tale and scenario that can be kept at arm's length. I felt involved. I felt that I too had to make a decision.
Most engaging.
August 26, 2020
If you want to hear my review of Derek Hansen, please visit my review of Lunch with a Soldier :).
Okay, review time:
This book has an excellent storyline, Epic Plot-twists, and Incredible characters. Just go read it, to be honest. It's worth the hassle of locating a second-hand copy, trust me. Maybe one day people will finally see the underrated genius that is Derek Hansen and your copy will be worth millions. Who knows? Go read. :) :)
5 STARS to this book, obviously.
PS: I love the way the characters storylines intertwined in this one - it was .
Okay, review time:
This book has an excellent storyline, Epic Plot-twists, and Incredible characters. Just go read it, to be honest. It's worth the hassle of locating a second-hand copy, trust me. Maybe one day people will finally see the underrated genius that is Derek Hansen and your copy will be worth millions. Who knows? Go read. :) :)
5 STARS to this book, obviously.
PS: I love the way the characters storylines intertwined in this one - it was .
June 15, 2025
This book was nothing than a tragic representation of World War 2 and there’s so much point of view that makes me questioned the whole entire plot. The flaws for me is relationship between Cecilia and Friedrich that doesnt really fit actually. For the first 5th thursday we got a point that friedrich is actually love Christiane and could jump over the cliff for her. But then, it shows that Friedrich is actually cheating and love Cecilia. Another flaws is Cecilia playing god by being in two sides until she got rocked up. We know damn well she’s not the hero in this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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May 5, 2015A Ken Follett-esque WWII romance/drama/whodunnit. Presents both sides - several sides? - of the conflict objectively and informatively. I could have done without the intermissions, but they are skippable.
December 1, 2016
I am loving this series , the author is so clever and presents his stories from the viewpoint of the storyteller which makes you think about other sides. Absolutely brilliant but quite heavy going at times
March 29, 2008
It's a tad bit over-written, the stories are told by a group of guys who swap tales over lunch. I found myself skimming the narrator's part to get back to the story. Still a worthwhile read.
Want to read
December 31, 2010* Inherited from Mum's shelves.
October 8, 2011
As a Hanson fan this one still delivered a good well written story
January 25, 2013
Derek Hansen's LUNCH WITH MUSSOLINI is the most enjoyable book I have read in some time. I recommend it.
August 3, 2014
Great story line but really loved the setting....one of my favourite places...Lake Como, Italy!
May 26, 2013
Great book
February 17, 2014
Captivating story with animating characters. Would recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews