“Madonna from the Mountains”, a promising debut by Elise Valmorbida, is a “convincing” drama about the changing dynamics of a marriage.  Maria Vittoria’s husband Achille is handsome, but traditional; occasionally abusive.  They start a grocery and a family.  They are overwhelmed by events (wars, depression) and threats from Fascists, soldiers, partisans and the police. “Valmorbida tracks the domestic power shift over a quarter-century from Achille to Maria” (Publishers Weekly).