The book develops three perspectives: that of two works produced in contemporary times that looks back to the years of Mussolini"s and Franco"s regimes - focusing on Habiamos ganado la guerra (2007) by Esther Tusquets and L"Alba di un Mondo Nuovo (2002) by Alberto Asor Rosa; that of two works produced after a few decades from the collapse of the regimes - concentrating on Con la miel en los labios (1997) by Esther Tusquets and La Storia (1974) by Elsa Morante; and finally that of two works produced directly following the end of the regimes - concentrating on L"Isola di Arturo (1957) by Elsa Morante and El amor es un juego solitario (1979) by Esther Tusquets. This study defines two innovative concepts in literature: "implicit" and "explicit" suffering. "Explicit suffering" is understood as the way the characters become aware of the unexpressed suffering within their private sphere over time, unambiguously comprehend it and finally express it. "Implicit suffering" is understood as that...