This is the sweet, sad story of a simple man making a place for himself in a harsh world with kindness, consideration and courage. Robert Simon has survived World War two in an orphanage and now lives in 1960s Vienna, his hometown. He is a man-of-all-purposes who works in the local street market. He chops ice for the fishmonger, repairs awnings for the vendors, sweeps out and lugs crates, helps in any way he can. He makes little, but lives simply and saves his money, waiting for “the day”. When a local café, already shriveling, closes, Robert decides to open it for himself and become a businessman. He deals with the landlord, cleans, rebuilds, redecorates, brings in stock and opens a modest establishment serving coffee, tea, beer, wine and bread spread with drippings. A basic menu, to be sure, but one that suits the locals well and he prospers.

As customers begin to frequent his humble establishment, their stories, one by one, emerge. Two spinsters who gossip about the other habitues of the café, a bitter woman disappointed in life and men, a battered professional wrestler, a broken man sunk in alcohol, a young woman from the country whose only tie to the city has evaporated when the factory where she works is sold, and of course, the merchants from the market who have known Robert for years and trust him. It is a success. Post-war times are hard in Vienna, but people help one another and the prospect brightens, bit by bit. Romance peeks into Robert’s life along with tragedy and strife, but overall life is better all the time.

Written with sensitivity and grace, the narrative is reassuringly inspirational without preaching any dogma or promoting any political or religious belief, only humanity. Being witness to this gentle, thoughtful process brings the reader into the community with a joy in participation as though these are people we know and see each day. It is a remarkably deft evocation of the best parts of humans, warts and all, skillfully told with care, love and tender humor.