In Vienna in 1911, Greta Goldbaum is the youngest daughter of the Austrian branch of the House of Goldbaum, a family-owned banking family. (Think the Rothschilds.). She has always thought she was free to choose her own path but reality strikes when she marries her distant cousin, Albert, because Goldbaum women marry Goldbaum men.
Relocated to England, she finds herself lonely and seeking a place to call her own. Albert is distant and uninterested. When her mother-in-law gives her land to transform into a garden, Greta at last finds something to interest and distract her. When her brother suggests that perhaps she should try just a little bit harder with Albert, she begins to wonder if maybe she was wrong.
As Albert and Greta grow closer, so does war. It is Europe in 1911 and tensions among all the countries are strained. Countries considering war need money. And the Goldbaum and their banks in major countries have it. They may be Jewish and outsiders but money can bring acceptance. Goldbaums across Europe are drawn into the impending war.
I enjoyed this book. I will admit that some of the financial maneuverings were beyond me but I did at least get the idea. The characters were likable and the settings interesting. It is the first book I’ve read by this author and I plan to read more.
