ThisisafamilystorythatcoversthirtyyearsinthelifeoftheFreytagfamily(narratedbythegrandson,Robert).WhenhisgrandfatherreturnsfromRussiain1949,hebecomespartoftheGerman"economicmiracle"byproducinggardengnomes.Klaus,Robert'sfather,wantstobecomeawriter.HemarriesGiselawhoalmostimmediatelygetspregnantwithRobert-butthemarriagedoesn'twork.
