In 1909, in the remote Alpine village of Rosenau, the postmistress has gathered a group of village women to solve a problem. A postcard has arrived addressed to "Anna Fink", who, because of the naming conventions of this close-knit community, might be any one of seven women. The mystery of the card's intended recipient - and its lovesick sender - preoccupies all of Rosenau. Lippi spans most of the 20th century, placing at the heart of each chapter a different woman, at the moment when her long-suppressed desire or anger or jealousy flares briefly into vivid life.