In a sort of diary from May 16 to August 25, 1972, Karin Struck tells the story of her origins, her youth in the Westphalian Schloss Holte, her work in a factory, the oppressive social conditions, her circle of acquaintances and friends, the struggles with her dissertation, her marriage, and more. The triggering moment of this equally ruthless and liberating self-confession is her acquaintance with Z., through whom she learns to "see and speak" – an encounter with another person from a distant time and a different class, for whom the "happy ending" would be a completely impossible conclusion.