Georg Asmussen vividly describes in his novel the life and typical characteristics of the locals along the Baltic Sea coast. Through the captivating portrayal of the natural forces in this region, the reader clearly feels the superiority of the environment over humanity. It is often unjustly forgotten that not only the North Sea coast is repeatedly plagued by storm surges, but that the Baltic Sea coast is also not spared from them. The storm surge of November 13, 1872, which was the most severe storm surge the Baltic Sea had experienced in living memory, caused particular terror. Nowhere else is this storm surge depicted so compellingly. A book that should be essential reading for every traveler along the entire Baltic Sea coast.