and struggles of characters within this unique landscape. The opening of the novel introduces readers to the serene yet hauntingly beautiful Spreewald, describing both its natural allure and the impoverished lives of its inhabitants. It depicts a stark contrast between the vibrant, superficial life in Berlin and the quiet desperation of the Sorben, who are feeling the societal changes that come with modern progress. Key elements such as folklore and spirituality interweave with daily existence, as characters face both personal and communal trials symbolized by the presence of the mythical Smjertniza, the goddess of death. The narrative foreshadows themes of loss, tradition, and the search for identity amidst a backdrop of impending cultural transformation. (This is an automatically generated summary.)