All Our Yesterdays takes readers on a journey through the intertwined lives of two neighboring families set against the backdrop of Italy in the late 1930s and during World War II. The narrative is divided into two distinct parts, each highlighting different phases and geographies in the characters' lives. Through these interconnected stories, the novel explores themes of resistance, personal growth, and the impact of war on everyday life.

The Final Days of Innocence

The first part of the novel unfolds in a provincial town, focusing on the last school years and the nascent adult lives of children from a middle-class family. The narrative weaves together the experiences of Anna and her siblings, alongside the children of a neighboring family. Anna's father, a widowed anti-Fascist, dedicates his twilight years to writing memoirs, destined to remain unpublished. Meanwhile, Anna's sister, Concettina, is engrossed in her romantic affairs, eventually marrying Emilio, a decision that stirs political tensions within the family.

Unexpected Encounters and Tragic Events

Anna crosses paths with Giuma, the youngest son of the family from across the street, on the day of her father's funeral. Giuma's household presents a complex dynamic with his elderly father, who owns a soap factory, his youthful stepmother Mammina, his brother Emanuele, rebellious sister Amalia, and Mammina's enigmatic lover, the German refugee Franz. As the specter of war looms with Nazi Germany's impending invasion of France, Anna's brother Ippolito, Emanuele, and their friend Danilo form a clandestine anti-Fascist group, primarily engaging in covert reading of forbidden newspapers. The war claims its first personal victim when Ippolito, unable to bear the realities of Italy's alliance with Nazi Germany and the fall of France, takes his own life on a public bench.

Anna's Turning Point

Devastated by Ippolito's death and grappling with an unexpected pregnancy at the age of sixteen, Anna faces a critical juncture in her life. Amidst this turmoil, Cenzo Rena, an old family friend, emerges as a beacon of support. Aware of Anna's predicament, Cenzo proposes marriage and brings Anna to his home in the southern village of San Costanzo, marking the start of a new chapter in her life.

Adjusting to a New Reality

The novel's second half transcends the mere recounting of Anna's marriage, painting a vivid picture of life in San Costanzo during wartime. Cenzo Rena takes on the role of a social reformer, tirelessly advocating for improved living conditions, healthcare, and education for the village's inhabitants. Initially, Anna feels alienated in this unfamiliar and predominantly male society. However, over time, she finds herself embraced by the community, particularly forming a close bond with Cenzo Rena's dedicated housekeeper, La Maschiona, who offers her warmth and kindness amidst the surrounding poverty and hardship.

The War Reaches San Costanzo

With the war creeping into San Costanzo, the arrival of Jewish refugees serves as a stark reminder of the racial laws enacted in 1938. Franz reemerges, estranged from his wife Amalia, and lives in constant fear of capture. As local men are conscripted and sent to fight in a losing battle, the village eventually falls under the control of retreating German forces in 1944. The occupation culminates in disaster when a seemingly "friendly" German soldier discovers Franz and other hidden fugitives in Cenzo Rena's cellar. In an act of self-sacrifice, Cenzo gives his life to protect the villagers, ensuring their safety from the reprisals.

Enduring Family Connections

Throughout these turbulent times, Anna remains connected with her family through letters and visits. News of home arrives, delivering both sorrow and strength; her former governess, Signora Maria, perishes in a Turin air raid, while her younger brother, Giustino, and his friend Danilo join the resistance movement. Emanuele continues his clandestine work, editing an underground newspaper in Rome. Meanwhile, Giuma returns to the scene, having wed an American psychology student. As the war concludes, Anna returns north with her daughter, reuniting with Giustino, Emanuele, and her family in anticipation of facing the uncertainties and challenges that await them in the postwar world.