The novel depicts life in rural Germany where being different often meets with incomprehension and rejection. The main characters embody different forms of otherness and must assert themselves in an environment that leaves little room for individuality.

The disappearance of young people raises questions and confronts the village community with its own vulnerability. The uncertainty drives the protagonists on a dangerous search that forces them to face both others' secrets and their own demons.

Despite the village being marked by mistrust and fear, the crisis reveals the strength of solidarity. The villagers come together in shared grief and desire for answers, while the protagonists find a new sense of belonging through their connection to the community.