This was an absolute delight to read. The writing was exquisite, the characters are lively and real, and the setting/time period is one of my favorites. The story is so well written that the characters really come to life. I can hear their distinct voices in my head so readily and easily. The story illustrates well the upheaval that was sweeping across Europe at that time, and how people coped with that while still trying to achieve their dreams. I particularly enjoyed the historical nature of the story as I've always found that time period fascinating. I really liked the character of Mela as the instigator and Elsa as the kind of go-getter, strong, female protagonist who also finds herself going against the grain of what society expects and what is necessary for her family. So far, a delightful read.