a notable Jewish woman named Kröppel-Leah, whose return to her ravaged home illustrates the personal impacts of broader political upheaval. At the start of the novel, readers are introduced to a scene reflecting the disarray in Höxter, indicated by the malfunctioning clocks in the town and the destruction left in the wake of recent military conflicts. The narrative explores the waiting of characters like Brother Henricus and Kröppel-Leah as they traverse the chaos of the city. As they gather at a ferry crossing, discussions unfold about the recent departure of French forces and the state of the city, illustrating both communal suffering and personal loss. The opening establishes a tone of reflection on the past while hinting at the threads of intrigue and the struggles that will come to define the lives of those inhabiting this historically rich yet troubled setting. (This is an automatically generated summary.)