At first, this story seems light-hearted, but it gradually takes a darker turn as it unfolds. At its core, it is about human acceptance, examining love, emotion, trauma, and the lasting weight of the past. The only thing keeping the main character going is his love for his daughter. Without her, he might have given up altogether.
Although the story is set in the 1960s, the protagonist often reflects on his experiences during the Second World War, especially the tragedy of losing his wife, who was murdered by the Nazis in occupied France.
Running his own café and working for himself were key to his hopes for the future, allowing him to escape the control of any oppressive forces. Yet no matter how hard we try to avoid trouble, it often has a way of finding us.
