The sudden acquisition of wealth by a modest family in pre-war Manchester triggers a series of divergent paths for five sisters as they navigate the shifting social and political landscape of Europe. Sam Silver, a small-time shopkeeper, experiences a stroke of financial fortune that propels his family into a new socioeconomic stratum. Each of his five daughters—Susan, Alice, May, Rose, and Esther—must reconcile their upbringing with the demands of their new status and the encroaching instability of the early twentieth century. The narrative follows their individual trajectories through the industrial heart of England and across the continent, highlighting the friction between personal ambition and familial duty. The story is presented through a third-person omniscient perspective that captures the distinct temperaments of the sisters against the backdrop of a changing world.

Readers and critics often note the expansive scope of the narrative, which effectively captures the atmosphere of the interwar period. Discussion frequently centers on the distinct personalities of the five sisters and how their individual choices reflect the broader social tensions of their time. The pacing is described as deliberate, allowing for a thorough examination of the family's rise and the subsequent challenges they face. Many highlight the author's ability to balance intimate domestic scenes with the looming threat of global conflict, providing a comprehensive look at the era's instability.