Strong men? Weak women? A closer look often reveals surprises.

An arc of life: Four-year-old Anna in the dangerous Russian zone in gray post-war Vienna. Aemilia, a loving grandmother who transforms the child's diffuse fears into a radiant courage to face life.

This very special strength carries Anna through her eventful life between Vienna and New York high society until her death: love, happiness, friendship, ambition, intrigue, unexpected twists and turns.

And this one unanswered question:

Were they murders? Or just tragic coincidences?

Is the seemingly obvious deceptive?