I often say I've read so many books about the Second World War and the atrocities committed by the Nazi occupations that I've read enough on the subject.  But then a friend suggested this book and I'm really glad she did.  Although of course it has many sad parts it also tells the story of two generations of women and their unimaginable struggles and heartbreak.  Especially, for me, the courage and strength that millions of people demonstrated during this time in history.

The prologue of the book is set in Russia in 1942, where a priest is presiding over the wedding of Alina and Tomasz.  It's an extremely cold day for September but Alina says "Our love had been my reason to live and to fight for many years." In spite of the deplorable conditions of the refuge camp, Alina "refused to let it shake my confidence in the man I loved."

The second story begins with Alice (Alina's Granddaughter) trying to get her son Eddie off the floor of the grocery where a major meltdown is happening.  Eddie is autistic and is screaming and emptying the grocery shelves because they have changed the label on his favorite yogurt.  Alice has been rushing everywhere this morning doing her best to get to the hospital to see her beloved Grandmother who has suffered a stroke. The dilemma that Alice deals with is that in the seven years since Eddie was born her husband, Wade, has been unable to adapt to the reality of Eddie's disability.  She is basically doing it alone.