Long Life in Short Stories

These 22 short stories span over a century in the turbulent lives of Helena and her family, forming a mosaic that traces the lives of four generations. The family saga includes the journey of Helena's mother from Galicia to Prague where she meets her future husband. Helena's parents emigrate to England to escape Hitler and then return after the war hoping to build a better society. History repeats itself. Helena's idyllic childhood in Czechoslovakia is cut short by the Soviet invasion and her own emigration to England. These very personal stories are loosely based on real events and encompass the trials and joys of marriage, motherhood, divorce, friendships and a scientific career. They begin with the engagement of Helena's 13-year-old grandmother in Galicia and end with a description of the funeral of Helena's cyclist friend in London.