at last, a book that had memorable characters and a fascinating plot. The subject matter was handled in an intelligent non sentimental way. Anna and Trudie are portrayed as women with depth. They make decisions and live with the consequenses, good or bad. I apppreciated a book where women are complex people, not superficial representations of either the madonna or a postitute.This book gives a glimpse of Germany during the war, but it is seen from different angles. You feel as though you have experienced the horror of living through the second world war as well as knowing the incredible toll payed in human lives.