Podcast
Real Dictators
The hosts mentioned the work while covering Mussolini's personal life, noting that he had written a romance for his lover. They described it as a quickly‑written potboiler with cliffhangers and strong emotions, but treated it more as a curiosity than a serious recommendation. The overall tone was casual and informational rather than endorsing the title.
Episode: BONUS: Dictators’ Books
Mussolini's novel The Cardinal's Mistress was described as a potboiler with cliffhangers and strong emotions.
His novel, The Cardinal's Mistress, it's like a potboiler. He just tossed it off, but it works. It's got cliffhangers and each chapter leads to the next chapter and it's got strong emotions.
Episode: Benito Mussolini Part 1: Italy’s Fascist Godfather
Mussolini was described as having written a romance titled The Cardinal's Mistress for his lover Raqueli, featuring her as the central character.
He dashes off a novel for her, a romance called The Cardinal's Mistress, in which she is the central character.