Christine

The narrative unfolds through letters from Christine, an English girl studying in Germany, capturing the atmosphere leading up to World War I during May-August 1914. As she shares her experiences with her mother, the novel offers a poignant perspective on the tensions of the time. Initially presented as non-fiction, it reflects the author's personal connection to the events, as her own daughters lived in Germany during the war, adding depth to the story. The tragic fate of Christine mirrors that of von Arnim's daughter Felicitas, who died of pneumonia.