Year 1938, months before the outbreak of World War II. A German family of Jewish origin leaves the country and moves to Kenya. Walter and Jettell have a six-year-old daughter, Regina. At first, they arrive at a rural farm and must learn to adapt to their new environment. Walter goes from working as a notary to becoming a farmer. Jettell struggles to adjust, and Regina perceives it with the innocent surprise of a child. At that time, Kenya was a British colony, and when the war breaks out, some view the family with suspicion. Owour and his wife, Chebeti, both natives, provide great help in their daily life. Later, Regina is able to attend school in the city, and Walter joins the British army.
The author of the novel, written in Germany years later, was the same age as Regina at the time of the events. The story she tells reflects the experiences of her own family. She writes from her childhood memories, which are well-documented, and does so in a novelistic style.