Heinrich Böll's novel is a richly woven tapestry of personal and political histories, spanning fifty years of the Faehmel family saga. Set against the backdrop of Germany's turbulent transformation, the story unfolds over the course of a single day—September 6, 1958—marking a pivotal moment for the family. Through a blend of monologues, memories, and flashbacks, the novel explores themes of identity, legacy, and reconciliation.

The Enigmatic Architect

The narrative opens with a focus on Robert Faehmel, the family's architect, whose puzzling daily routine piques curiosity. Instead of engaging in the bustling life of his office, Robert absents himself regularly, slipping away to a secret location that even his secretary cannot discern. The mystery deepens as it becomes known that his interactions with his two business partners are limited to correspondence, never face-to-face meetings. The truth reveals Robert's mornings are spent in tranquil seclusion at the billiards table in the Prince Heinrich Hotel, where he converses solely with Hugo, a young bellboy who respects his need for solitude.

Reflections on Troubled Times

While at the billiard table, Robert delves into his past, sharing with Hugo his experiences under National Socialism. Drawn to a circle of dissenters, whom he later dubs "lambs," Robert's group's attempt to assassinate a Nazi leader failed, forcing him and his allies to flee the oppressive "buffaloes." After returning to Germany and serving in the army, Robert's task involved demolition under a deranged officer’s orders. One notable mission saw him destroy St. Anthony's Abbey, a structure his father built, not out of familial spite but in rebellion against institutions complicit in Nazi atrocities. Robert’s military comrades have now become his enigmatic partners in his architectural endeavors.

Heinrich Faehmel's Perspective

The story takes a shift in perspective as Heinrich Faehmel, Robert's father, reminisces about his own past. Arriving in the city fifty years prior, Heinrich was brimming with youthful optimism and ambition. His triumph in designing St. Anthony's Abbey established his stellar reputation, and he married into an elite social circle, crafting a reliable and distinctive image. On his eightieth birthday, Heinrich reflects on his fulfilled dreams and his desire to remain untouched by the tumultuous historical changes around him.

Johanna Faehmel's Inner World

Chapter 5 shifts to Johanna Faehmel, whose thoughts unravel in an introspective monologue. Troubled by the madness surrounding her during World War II, Johanna self-committed to a mental hospital, choosing "inner emigration" from a world she could not control. Her memories contrast her sons: Robert, the "lamb," who resisted the Nazis, and Otto, the "buffalo," who died a fervent Fascist. On Heinrich's birthday, Johanna leaves the asylum, determined to assassinate a Nazi who has resurfaced in government, though her attempt only results in wounding her target, leading to her inevitable return to the institution.

Reckoning with the Past

As the novel progresses, the focus shifts to September 6, 1958, when Alfred Schrella, an exile, returns. A "lamb" who fled Nazi persecution, Schrella seeks familiarity in Germany, yet finds the enduring power of the "buffaloes" unnerving, and the absence of "lambs" disheartening. Although politically detached, Schrella prefers undermining a police chief's social standing over legal prosecution for past crimes.

The Young Generation

Joseph Faehmel, the family's youngest, is involved in restoring the very abbey his father once destroyed. The revelation of his father's role in its wartime demolition leaves Joseph at a crossroads, uncertain whether to pursue construction, embrace demolition, or abandon architecture altogether.

A Tense Celebration

Johanna's assassination attempt disrupts the planned hotel birthday celebration. Instead, the family gathers at Heinrich's old architecture office, a symbol of their initial successes. Here, amid the remnants of...