town. At the start of the book, Fritz reflects on his childhood in the town of Waltersburg and his recent return after years of absence. He grapples with memories of his family, particularly the strained relations due to his brother's disappearance following a tragic incident involving a woman. As Fritz reconnects with his past, he rekindles a sense of belonging and contemplates the changes in his life, particularly his aspirations to become a doctor. His mother urges him to seek out Joachim, prompting Fritz to take on the mantle of a healer, not just in the medical sense but also for his fractured family. This opening section sets the stage for the exploration of familial bonds, societal conflicts, and the protagonist’s evolving identity amid the pressures of modern life. (This is an automatically generated summary.)