"It was so..." is a novel by the famous Belgian writer Cyril Bise. In this book, the author recreates the life of a peasant community in Flanders at the end of the 19th century. The heroes of the book have long been accustomed to brutal working conditions, limited opportunities and strict class distinctions. But even among this rural delusion, the author finds a place for humor, warmth and deep feelings. It reveals before us the undone beauty of simple things that may seem insignificant to the modern world, but to the men and women of that time were a source of joy and consolation. "It was like that..." is a book that makes you think about the value of the simplicity of life and the importance of interpersonal relationships.