Very British - and better than Balzac. Andreas Isenschmid in 'Die Zeit'. The threat of war becomes increasingly tangible, and Nick Jenkins feels transported back to his childhood. He reflects on the eve of World War I, when peace in his parents' home was abruptly shattered. Despite the serious political situation, Nick and his friends persist in their pursuits of pleasure. However, even at dinner parties, dramatic scenes and unexpected encounters unfold.