This book wasn't what I expected as I didn't really know what it was about before starting it. Basically it is the history of a family. The father is french and goes to Argentina where he meets and marries and then raises a family. His sister in law marries a German, the respective men end up going back to their home country and then war breaks out.
The horror of war is captured amazingly well without too much gruesome detail. The concern of parents for their children the men at the front, and the women left behind to face the opposing forces and the attacks. The expectation that this really can't be happening in a civilized world, and that the humanity of the soldiers still exists. The fact that after a couple of terrifying chapters when the soldiers destroy a village and the main character is able to jump in a taxi afterwards and head back to Paris where the war seems remote makes it seem unreal.
In one part two fathers are able to visit the frontline to see their sons before going back to civilian life. So close yet so far.
The added perspective of the german family that are experiencing all the same anguish as the french family get it an added depth.
A great read that captures the devastation of war from many angles highly recommended.