This novel is set mostly just post-WWII. What sets it apart from the trend of strong women characters in WWII books is that this is from the viewpoint of three very German women that come from very different socioeconomic backgrounds but end up in the same place. Usually I will more strongly like one character's narrative than the others, but the author did a great job of keeping the characters well rounded with flaws and good traits. This book was strong from the beginning but I felt the ending sort of rushed. It was really abrupt for me to jump into the early 90's and try and relate to the characters at that time. It was interesting to see the reflection that the women had on their lives and on WWII and their roles in it.