happened in the characters' pasts. The connections between the different family members are also very strong because of the flashbacks and retellings. Heinrich, Robert and Joseph's stories are linked by the central motif of St. Anthony's Abbey and by the wars and turmoil that they all experience through the years. Point of view The point of view of the novel is very important and the rotating first person perspective gives the story its deep insight. Eleven different characters take it in turns to offer a first-person perspective and the point of view shifts with every chapter. The first is narrated by Robert's secretary, Leonore, the second by the old bellhop Jochen, the third by Robert, the fourth by Heinrich, the fifth by his wife Johanna, the sixth by Robert again, the seventh by both Schrella and Nettlinger, the eighth by Joseph Faehmel and his fiancée Marianne, the ninth by Schrella, the tenth by both Robert and his daughter Ruth, the eleventh is again told from the perspective of Johanna, the twelfth and thirteenth by nearly every different character in the story. Some of these chapters are in the first person and others feature third person omniscient narration, but every chapter follows the thoughts of a single specific character. This multitude of narrators is central to the novel. In the beginning, we first meet Robert, through his secretary, followed by Jochen; it is not until the third chapter that we come face to face with the protagonist. We meet Heinrich Faehmel in the first chapter, but only through the eyes of Leonore, the secretary. Our perception of the characters is shaped by the perspective of the narrator in question. Although this reduces the reliability of the narration, the multiplicity of points of view is key to the story. The subjective retellings may reflect the Faehmels' government and the Nazis trying to brainwash their country and its people. In the story, however, the perspectives presented offer many different views of the characters. The relationships between father and son, husband and wife, friend and schoolmate, and dissenter and blind follower are examined from many different perspectives. Through his father we see Robert, through Robert we see Schrella and through Schrella, Nettlinger. Since every character is discussed by several narrators, we gain a fuller insight into the various traits and backgrounds of each one. Allusions/references to actual history, geography and current science Most of