Most of the action in The Venice Sketchbook is set in Venice, Italy, during four separate periods: Juliet’s 1928 visit, her 1938 trip, the year she lives in Venice beginning in 1939, and Caroline’s visit in 2001.

Venice was deeply affected by both World War I and World War II. Although Venice harbor was bombed during World War I, the city itself escaped bombing during both wars. Like other parts of Europe, the city experienced rationing and German occupation.

In World War I, Italy joined the Allied Powers and acted as a naval base. As one of the victors of that war, they got a seat in the Council of the League of Nations.

In 1922, Benito Mussolini of the National Fascist Party came to power as the prime minister, marking the beginning of what is known as “Fascist Italy.” With his regime came more totalitarian rule and the promotion of economic modernization and traditional social values.

Mussolini embarked on a more aggressive foreign policy beginning in the 1930s, invading and annexing Ethiopia in a war that led to confrontation with the League of Nations. As a result, sanctions were enacted against Italy, leading to increasing economic self-sufficiency.

Mussolini’s growing desire to rebuild the Roman empire becomes a recurring thread in Juliet’s time in Venice.