I read this novel for one of my book clubs. The writing was quite beautiful with a large part of the story told using flashbacks. The book was formatted chronologically and broken up into four parts. Each part was narrated by a different sibling from youngest to oldest: first Simon, then Klara, followed by Daniel, and finally Varya.
Simon and Klara were my favorite characters. What was most interesting was that the older siblings (Daniel and Varya) were more pragmatic characters who did not put much stock in the prophecy. But the younger siblings (Simon and Klara) were more dreamy and had an easier time believing the words of the fortuneteller. I would argue that because of this faith in "magic," they were able to live fuller and (in some ways) happier lives. In contrast, Daniel and Varya lived cold and lonely lives devoid of whimsy.
Simon and Klara were my favorite characters. What was most interesting was that the older siblings (Daniel and Varya) were more pragmatic characters who did not put much stock in the prophecy. But the younger siblings (Simon and Klara) were more dreamy and had an easier time believing the words of the fortuneteller. I would argue that because of this faith in "magic," they were able to live fuller and (in some ways) happier lives. In contrast, Daniel and Varya lived cold and lonely lives devoid of whimsy.