Bruno came of age during World War II in the French countryside. His parents, members of the Communist Party, were targeted by the Nazis and ultimately killed. Because his mother was not only a communist but also part Jewish, many of her relatives also perished in extermination camps. Bruno’s brother was among those who died. His sharpest memory from the war years is of finding a dead Nazi soldier and taking his helmet for a souvenir. Wearing it gave him lice, and the kerosene that his guardian applied to his scalp to kill the parasites damaged his vision. Reading about these experiences and Bruno’s continued problems with his eyes, Sadie speculates that he suffers from ocular migraines. She, too, struggles with the condition and understands how it probably impacts Bruno.

There are 45 members of Le Moulin living on 11 hectares of land. They grow several different crops as well as a mixture of fruit and vegetables to be either consumed by the members of the commune or sold at market, the proceeds split equally among Le Moulin’s members. Pascal shows Sadie around the property, introducing her to various people as they work. She learns that although Pascal believes in the importance of family, childcare is communal.