Additionally, this novel makes numerous references to the Holocaust. Many fought back as part of resistance efforts, especially near the end of the war. However, the longer the war dragged on, the less tolerant the Italian people became of Nazi policies. Many of them were opposed to Mussolini and even more were opposed to Hitler, yet they feared for their lives and the lives of their children.

As is depicted in the novel, this left many Italians in a difficult place. In reality, Hitler and other high-ranking members of the SS were in control of Italy during much of the war. He became what is known as a puppet ruler that is, a ruler who is considered a leader in title only. As the war dragged on, Mussolini gradually lost control of his country to the Nazi party. At this time, Italy was under the rule of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, who allied himself with Hitler during the war. Most recently, Mark published a novel titled The Last Green Valley, which explores World War II from the perspective of a German family living in Ukraine.īeneath a Scarlet Sky takes place in Milan, Italy during World War II. He’s co-authored five books with James Patterson, and his novel Beneath a Scarlet Sky is currently being adapted as a film. Since publishing The Purification Ceremony, Mark has become a household name. However, it was not until his third novel, The Purification Ceremony, that Mark became a well-known writer. A few years later, in 1994, Mark published his first novel, The Fall Line, and in 1995, he followed it up with another, Hard News. In 1990, he decided to put his job on hold on try his hand at writing. For the next several years, he worked numerous jobs related to journalism and politics. After two years, Mark returned to the United States to study journalism at Northwestern University. After graduating with his BA in 1980, Mark worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

Mark Sullivan was raised near Boston, Massachusetts before going to Hamilton College to study English.

Beneath a sugar sky