The arrival of the Second World War in the Middle East forces the protagonist to navigate the shifting political and personal landscapes of a region under siege. Harriet Pringle continues her life in Cairo, attempting to maintain a sense of normalcy while her husband Guy remains deeply involved in his work and political circles. The narrative follows their experiences as the conflict intensifies, testing their marriage against the backdrop of military maneuvers and the constant threat of enemy advancement. The prose maintains a detached, observational tone that captures the disorientation of civilians caught in the machinery of global warfare.

Readers frequently highlight the author's ability to render the stifling atmosphere of Cairo during the war years with precision and clarity. Discussion often centers on the nuanced portrayal of the Pringles' marriage as it faces the external pressures of a crumbling geopolitical order. Critics observe that the pacing is deliberate, favoring internal character development over rapid action sequences. The work is recognized for its commitment to historical authenticity and its refusal to simplify the complex social dynamics of the Levant during this period. Readers often appreciate the subtle irony present in the narrative, which underscores the absurdity of life in a city waiting for an inevitable confrontation.