The story revolves around Guido, a charming and witty Italian man, and his journey to win the heart of Dora, a beautiful teacher. Guido and Dora get married and have a son, Joshua. However, their happiness is short-lived as the Second World War breaks out, and Guido, being Jewish, is taken to a concentration camp along with his son.
In the camp, Guido uses his imagination and humor to shield Joshua from the harsh reality of their situation, telling him that they are playing a game to win a real tank. Guido's love for his family and his determination to protect them drive him to find ways to send messages to Dora and keep Joshua safe.
As the war nears its end, Guido's health begins to decline, but his love for his family remains strong. In a final act of selflessness, Guido sacrifices himself to save Joshua, who is eventually rescued by Allied soldiers. The story concludes with Joshua being reunited with his mother, Dora, and the theme of love being the most powerful force that can help humans overcome even the most difficult challenges.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Guido is a nice and witty guy who always finds comedy and beauty in everything.
2. Guido meets a young girl who jokingly tells him that he is a prince waiting for his princess.
3. Guido falls in love with a woman named Dora.
4. Guido and Dora get married and have a son named Joshua.
5. The Second World War is approaching, and the rejection of Jews is increasing.
6. Guido's uncle Eliseo is attacked by vandals for being Jewish.
7. Guido wants to open a bookstore, but the official Rodolfo refuses to sign the permission.
8. Guido meets Dora again at the town hall and accidentally breaks eggs on Rodolfo's head.
9. Guido escapes from Rodolfo by stealing a bicycle and running away.
10. Guido gets a job as a waiter at his uncle Eliseo's hotel.
11. Guido and Dora have a date, and Guido falls in love with her.
12. Guido's uncle Eliseo is forced to paint his horse because of the increasing rejection of Jews.
13. A party is held at Guido's uncle Eliseo's hotel to announce Dora's marriage to Rodolfo.
14. Dora doesn't want to marry Rodolfo and escapes with Guido.
15. Six years pass, and Guido and Dora have a son named Joshua.
16. The Germans enter the country, and Guido is forced to take his son Joshua to a concentration camp.
17. Guido tries to protect his son by telling him that the concentration camp is a game.
18. Guido and Joshua are separated from Dora and Guido's uncle Eliseo at the concentration camp.
19. Guido tries to convince his son that the concentration camp is a game to earn points.
20. Guido sends a message to Dora through a megaphone to let her know that they are fine.
21. Guido is forced to have a medical exam to see if he is still useful.
22. The doctor recognizes Guido and recommends him to be a waiter at a dinner for the Germans.
23. Guido sends another signal to his wife by playing the music from the opera of their first evening.
24. The war is over, and the Allied army is close to the concentration camp.
25. The Germans take away everyone they can in trucks to kill them.
26. Guido hides his son Joshua and tells him that everyone is looking for him because he is the winner.
27. Guido is taken away by the Germans and pretends that nothing is happening to protect his son.
28. Guido is killed by the Germans, but not before winking at his son as a sign of complicity.
29. Joshua comes out of his hiding place and finds his mother Dora, who is alive.
30. Joshua tells his mother that he won the game that his father gave him with so much love for his birthday.