[1] It tells the story of a Sicilian baron who gives in to desires of the flesh, beginning at an early age and continuing through his adulthood, when he realizes what an empty life he has led.
The book explores the themes of sexual passion and of lust, sometimes unbridled and morbid.
[1] Its publication was authorized in a note that Brancati penned two days before his passing, in which he explained that the planned two final chapters of the novel had not been written.
[citation needed] The Sensual Man (Italian: Paolo il caldo) is loosely based on Brancati's novel, with the screenplay written by Marco Vicario.
Vicario also directed the movie, that was played by Giancarlo Giannini in the role of Paolo[3] and Rossana Podestà as Lilia.