小说描写了十九世纪三十年代初和1848年革命前夕意大利革命者为了意大利的独立和统一所进行的一场斗争。以主人公牛虻的人生坎坷经历为线索，叙述了他是如何由当初一个天真单纯的青年转变为一个坚强的革命主义战士的艰难历程。他心系祖国的统一和人民的困苦，在危险面前，他毫不畏惧；在敌人面前，他毫不妥协，表现了大无畏的革命主义精神。在即将被敌人处死时，他坦然视之，视死如归，表现了英雄的革命主义气概，他的精神感人至深，令人荡气回肠，读完这本书，你一定会被他那深深的爱国主义情怀所鼓舞。The novel depicts a struggle made by Italian revolutionists for the independence and unity of Italy in the 1930s before the 1848 Revolution. The novel takes the life story of Gadfly, the hero in it, as the clue and tells how he changes from an innocent and simple youth into a strong-minded revolutionary soldier. Having in mind the unity of his motherland and difficult life of his people, he is never scarced by the enermy and danger, presenting the greatest spirit of revolutionism. When he is about to be executed, Gadfly is acceptive and bold, showing the heroic style of revolutionism. His emotions touch the readers deeply. After reading the book, you will definitely be encouraged by his in-depth patriotism.