Year after year, generation after generation, the panorama of the life of two families unfolds slowly on the pages of this book. Their daily life is closely connected with all the events, global changes, shocks and joys that befell our compatriots during the turbulent and troubled twentieth century. It is the very bright and invincible life in its diversity, which one would like to call the lofty word "being", that is constantly in the focus of the author's attention. It manifests itself in love for loved ones and caring for children, in patience and tireless attention against the background of many everyday joys and sorrows.

At the heart of this impressive narrative are authentic events from the lives of real people. In order to trace their biographies with documentary accuracy for almost a century, from the last years of the Russian Empire to the Brezhnev era, the author had to perform a several years’ long titanic work. And then all the information gathered was turned into a fascinating fiction text, full of facts and historical details, as well as living human feelings. Emotions and experiences are recreated with the deepest psychological certainty, which encourages the reader to sincerely empathize with the characters throughout the book. The greatness of living life and the scale of historical achievements blend quite seamlessly.