An Italian town loses its identity after it believes that a fat woman on a bier has been raised from the dead.
Neither the Pope, nor the town priest, nor the more conservative element can stop the wave of anglicisation that is allowed to pervade, after the only Anglo- Italian in the community is thought to have died and been resurrected. As the community are desperate to be top of the 'miracles' list they embrace the rumour as reality and welcome everything English, including bus loads of tourists wearing knotted handkerchiefs.
Maria, the 'recently resurrected' battles with her size on a daily basis, but is the only one who remains true to herself throughout. She discovers the love of an English theology student sent to make peace between the church and community.
Threading through the story is the imaginary world that she creates for herself, a story of chivalry and heraldic gallantry, culminating in her real life hero on horseback winning the annual jousting contest. Cimina, the hill top town is able to find itself once more as Maria and the theology student embark on a life together.