Vienna, 1912. After a childhood in poverty, Marie Haidinger has made it. For just a few months, she has been a nanny at 71 Sternwartestrasse - the household of the famous writer Arthur Schnitzler in the upscale cottage district. When she picks up a book for her employer at a nearby bookstore on Währinger Strasse, she discovers a completely new world: the world of books. And Oskar, the charming yet impoverished bookseller, soon makes advances towards her. But does Oskar truly mean it seriously with her? Marie realizes how fragile happiness can be when Sophie, the Schnitzlers' maid, nearly dies after an abortion. And when she accidentally overhears that the master of the house saw Oskar late at night at the elegant "Sacher" - in the company of a very beautiful young lady... Set against the backdrop of Arthur Schnitzler's works and thoroughly researched.