The Seamstress of Sardinia

The novel “The Dream of the Sewing Machine” by the Italian writer Bianca Pitzorno presents the story of an orphan girl who grows up under the shadow of the cholera epidemic in the nineteenth century, only to find herself forced to embrace the skill of sewing as a means of survival. Through its pages, we follow the journey of a heroine who moves between the houses of the aristocratic class in Sardinia, where she sews luxurious dresses while observing with sharp eyes a world full of contradictions. The novel shows how sewing turns from just a profession into a tool for uncovering the secrets of wealthy families, and a starting point for a rare independence in a society that marginalizes women.

The novel highlights the stark class disparity between poverty and wealth, and the falsehood that hides the outward glitter of the upper classes. The heroine, by virtue of her position as a seamstress entering houses that are not like her, becomes a witness to stories of isolation and oppression, while maintaining her pride and self-awareness. The narrative style is rich in daily details that surround the characters, which adds realism that makes the reader feel like they are part of the scene.

The novel focuses on the idea of “dream” as a main axis, whether the heroine’s dream of liberation from the constraints of society, or the dream of owning a sewing machine that becomes a symbol of her freedom. Pitzorno addresses women’s issues with intelligence, without preaching, through a tale that combines intimacy and social depth. The ending is not surprising, but it confirms the power of resilience and self-awareness as weapons of survival.