An idealist seeking a new way of life, Rachel Jonish finds it when she falls in love with political columnist Aleks Mischler. The two marry and settle into family life in Warsaw, when the hostility of Nazi Germany forces them to flee across Russia to Japan and eventually America. As order is continually stripped away, Rachel's unifying efforts are strained by her affair with a textile magnate and concern over family left behind.

The title may feature two characters, but this book is all about Rachel: her sympathetic spirit, sharp mind for business and restless nature. We follow her as she matures into a wife, mother and professional, privy to her inner thoughts and excitements. This growth is well-charted, but inconsistent at times - big events like her engagement and pregnancy seem rushed, while pre-war life drags in comparison to post-war.

Other characters are portrayed through Rachel's eyes, and though some are stereotyped (such as Aleks' judgmental sisters) the overall effect is more diverse than expected. Aleks is inspired when Rachel is swooning, but unskilled when he tries to work his way into her business life. Roman, her affair, has a powerful charisma that dims Aleks in her eyes but a penchant for anger that pushes him away.

Stoller's focus is developing the character, but her best work is setting the scene for Rachel's growth. The reader is given an exceptional look at Poland between wars, ranging from a collective village wedding to the bustling streets of Warsaw. Rachel's interest in the world is contagious, and Stoller adeptly shows the building tension in Jewish communities. The descriptions are so interesting that it's disappointing when they're skipped - particularly when the family flees through Russia and Japan, a meshing of cultures worthy of its own novel.