This is such a good read. The book starts in 1939 and follows the inhabitants of 33 Place Bruggman, although Charlotte is the centre and the student who gets involved with her neighbours, by being interested, caring and a bit nosy! The blood starts at the very beginning with the death of a stray, this is the gentle reminder of war arriving. The book gives time to each neighbour with a look at the military and being taken by force. Some flee and one becomes a nurse, a theme from page one - the urge to help and to care. Masha is the one with a pure romance through a dangerous affair.
Each character is given depth and a real personality and through their eyes we see the outbreak of war and the I pact it has on all. This has almost poetic moments.