During hyperinflation in 1923 Ludwig Bodmer sells tomb stones in a small German city. When, on a Sunday, he plays the organ in city's chapel of the insane asylum where he meets the schizophrenic Isabelle. She emboides a counter-world to the economic and social chaos of the city and pulls Ludwig into her world. There is the asylum's rational director, the priest and Isabelle's endearing world. When Isabelle is considered healed and dismissed from the asylum, Ludwig moves to another city. In a concluding chapter, the novel's characters are shown after the National Socialists have taken over the country.

This timelss novel was written as a warning against a repetition of history: never again.