Fabulous. There is not really another word to describe it. Meeting Ilse's friends and acquantances is a wonderful experience. The chapters interespered in between these chapters about emotions are equally as intriguing. It illustrates how tough the times were in Berlin during the last two years of WWII, but, it also illustrates the power of friendship. The author's hatred for the Nazi's is what keeps her going during this time. The details of the war and the aftermath of the bombings are written so one feels as if they are walking the streets of Berlin with Ilse and her friends. ( )