This book takes place during the reign of Nazi Germany and details the lives of Germans living in a stage of constant fear and fear is what explodes off each page.
It is about several people's reaction to Nazi Germany, in particular one couple's postcard campaign of resistance after their son is killed in battle. It is also a love story, a story about dysfunctional family life shadowed by the totalitarian, butchering Nazi state and how morally low people become in exceedingly difficult times. There are no victims or heroes, but a few people just doing "the decent thing."