Two sets of tangled relationships, one looking at what the future held and missed, the other refusing to even look, so that it is not so much missed as refused to be accepted. Nicely juxtaposed.

Borin and Arkady are probably to old for the 1953 revolt in East Germany, but not for end of the Prague Spring in 1968.

Poor Ian, hurting himself in the foolish belief he will not hurt when the adventure is over.

Wonderfully bittersweet.