Julkalendern #12

"Did Maria help him? Did she ever ask him if he suffered from the hard times? Did she ever say, Svevo, my beloved, how is your soul these days? Are you happy, Svevo? Is there any chance for work this winter, Svevo? Dio maledetto! And she wanted a merry Christmas! How can you have a merry Christmas when you are alone among three sons and a wife? Hole in your shoes, bad luck at cards, no work, break your neck on a goddamn sled - and you want a merry Christmas!"

Svevo har ingen vidare jul i den lilla stad i Colorado där han bor. En av hans söner trivs ännu sämre, och tar sig till slut ut i stora världen. Vad heter den av Svevos söner som man kan följa i flera romaner?