In 1854, a cholera epidemic hits Catania, Sicily. 16-year-old novice Maria leaves her convent and returns home to avoid the plague. Her stepmother and half-sisters prevent her from living the typical life of a young girl. In their minds, she is the promised "bride of God" and a regular life is inappropriate for her. Nevertheless, she falls in love with neighbor Nino. Her freedom ends abruptly when she is forced to return to the convent.
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