“An extraordinary tapestry of lives intertwined by fate fear and resilience . . . This
profoundly moving novel demonstrates the power of storytelling to illuminate the darkest
corners of history.” — Christina Baker Kline #1 New York Times bestselling author of Orphan
Train An outstanding debut novel—a love story mystery and philosophical puzzle told in the
singular voices of the residents of a Beaux Arts apartment house in Belgium during World War
II. On the eve of the Nazi occupation in the heart of Brussels life for the residents of 33
Place Brugmann is about to change forever. Charlotte Sauvin an art student raised by her
beloved architect father in apartment 4L knows all the details of the building and its people:
how light falls on wood floors and voices echo off the marble staircase the distinct knock of
her dear friend Julian Raphaël the son of the art dealer’s family across the hall. Then the
Raphaëls disappear leaving everything behind but their priceless art collection which has
simply vanished. All else that’s familiar fractures when whispers of German occupation become
reality and the lives of the residents grow increasingly intertwined. Charlotte’s godmother
Masha a beautiful seamstress living upstairs deepens her risky affair with a wartime
compatriot of Colonel Warlemont in 3L—a man far more calculating than his neighbors believe.
When a Nazi functionary with an interest in the Raphaëls moves into the building knowing who
can and cannot be trusted becomes a matter of life and death. In the face of their perilous new
reality every member of this accidental community will discover they are not the person they
believed themself to be. When confronted with a cruel choice—submit to the regime or risk their
lives to save one another—each learns the truth about what and who matters to them the most.
A propulsive and exquisitely written tour de force 33 Place Brugmann champions the restorative
power of love courage and art in times of great threat.
