I enjoyed this charming story of Jack and Sadie, a Jewish couple having fled Germany, trying to integrate and assimilate into British society. This story has an unusual combination of a sad undertone and an optimistic glazed coating. The first half is a bit choppy and summarized. The work of an overly zealous editor or was the author rushing to the second half which transports us to the lush countryside of Dorset?

The characters in Dorset are richly described and slightly mythical. A natural paradise where great woolly pigs make themselves seen, the people know nothing of rationing and tales of head hunters are retold at the top of hilly knolls. There are mouth watering descriptions of cake baking and especially the tale of Sadie baking a Baumtorte made me want to get out my mixer and start melting butter.

This will make a very cute movie.

best step by step of the Baumtorte recipe here: http://globaltableadventure.com/2011/...).