Story Overview

A boy and a girl growing up in post-war Switzerland. Times are relatively hard, with adults struggling to adjust from war to peace. The two kids grow up in different communities within 10 kilometers, unaware of each other, but meet a few times by coincidence.

They finally fall in love in their teens; nothing can keep them apart anymore. The agitated mother of the girl tries to separate them and secretly sends her daughter away. The boy discovers where she is, follows her, and eventually kidnaps her to live with her in the big city. When the army calls the boy for duty, the times become even harder for them, but they find a way to convince the boy's parents that they should marry.

The girl’s younger sister learns about the marriage and threatens to destroy their relationship. Ultimately, the two move away and begin a great future together. One day, the young man receives an offer for a job in Canada, his dream country from earlier in life. Seizing the opportunity, they accept the offer, but once in Canada, it turns out not to be as promised. They lose everything they had saved and go through several years of hardship.

About the Book

A great autobiography about love, intrigues, hardship, and even murder.