LockedawayintheJewishghettoofanoccupiedUkrainiantownin1941,amotherrevisitsherlifeinalastlettertoherson.In1941,aRussianJewishwomandoctorlivesinasmallcityintheUkrainejustseizedbytheGermans.Shewritesalastlettertoherson,afamousRussianphysicistwholivesandworksfarfromthefrontlinesataSovietscienceresearchinstitute.ShewritestheletterafewdaysbeforesheknowssheandtheotherJewsinthecitywillbekilledbytheGermans.Shespeaksofherlife,herrelationshiptoherson,herloveforhim,herstudentlifeinParis,herfailedmarriage.SherecountsthereactionofherRussianandUkrainianneighborstothearrivaloftheGermans,thevariousresponsesoftheJewishcommunity,thecrueltyandhorrorsoftheoccupation,thehelpofsomeRussianneighbors,thegreedandindifferenceofothers,andherslowrecognitionthatherJewishheritageismoreimportanttoherthanherRussiannationalityorCommunistideology