Uwe Johnson undertakes a pilgrimage to Klagenfurt, the childhood city of his late friend Ingeborg Bachmann, to explore her life and legacy. Johnson layers the city's physical and historical landscape with Bachmann's own words and experiences, seeking to understand the forces that shaped her extraordinary life and their generation. The narrative weaves together personal memory, biographical detail, and literary analysis to illuminate the profound connection between the two writers.

This work is recognized as a profound biographical montage, blending literary analysis with personal reflection. The book is noted for its unique approach to exploring an artist's life by weaving together the physical and cultural landscape of their origins with their own words. It offers insights into the complex relationship between Johnson and Bachmann, as well as the intellectual milieu of their generation. The narrative structure is praised for its ability to illuminate the vast forces behind a single, extraordinary life.