1941 the Germans have laid siege to Leningrad. A time when thousands will die of starvation. 23 year old Anna's mother dies when giving birth to her brother Koyla. Anna is now the care taker of her brother and ailing father. They have no heat in the apartment and very little food. By a twist in the story, the fathers past mistress moves in to help. 1 onion. Do we share and eat all at once or save it to sprout? Who will survive and how.