The changing fortunes of two women from riches to rags and back to riches, set in World War II, refugee camps, emigration to the USA, and a visit to the past.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Rowena inherits a house from her paternal grandparents in Italy, and also an unusual piece of jewelry. Both inheritances intrique her. In order to find out more about her mysterious ancestors she sails from New York to Italy. There she learns about the love affair of her grandparents, who were caught in a vicious web of social discrimination, unbending parental authority and in their own ambivalence between responsibilities abd the desire for personal fulfillment. Their life was deeply influenced by friendships and losses and by the moral standards...