Villa Elsa A Story of German Family Life

"Villa Elsa" by Stuart Oliver Henry is a story about an American man named Gard Kirtley who goes to Germany to find peace after suffering setbacks in his life. Set in 1913, right before World War I, the book explores the differences between American and German culture through Gard's experiences with the Bucher family in Dresden. He notices everything from their loud dinners to the strict rules they follow, and he learns about the mix of love and control within the family, especially concerning the mysterious Fraulein Elsa. As Gard tries to understand German customs and why people act the way they do, he finds himself questioning the real meaning behind German life.