Asterisk denotes entries on real places.
*Rhineland.
During the years of Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich, nationalism and political ideals are instilled in the German people at all levels, to such an extent that Leni’s school votes her the “most German” girl in the city, district, province, and perhaps even the whole country. Despite the honorary title, however, she is actually German only in her physical heritage and place of birth–nothing more.
Nursery. Business concern for which Leni works in the Rhineland. During the economic instability of wartime, Leni’s boss creatively sets up a place to sell wreaths to funerals. He and his workers efficiently make the business into a lucrative enterprise because of the war. Since people are dying everyday, floral wreaths are in demand. The business becomes even more lucrative, thanks to Leni’s ingenuity in recycling wreaths and ribbons to save production costs.
Leni also meets a Russian prisoner of war at the nursery, where to work is a special privilege. During air raids, she and the Russian make love in a graveyard–the only place where they can find privacy together. Leni is often happy during the air raids and hopes they will last a long time each time they occur so she can be with her Russian lover as long as possible.
*Rome. Capital city of Italy, where the fictitious biographer Au goes to interview an informant on the relationship between Leni and a nun. In addition to uncovering fascinating information on the nun, Au is charmed by another nun, Sister Klementina, in one of several instances where he projects himself into the narrative.
Leni’s apartment. Home of Leni in a apartment building owned by the Hoyser family in a Rhineland reminiscent of Cologne, where for the first time Au finds himself in the physical presence of his biographical subject. His biographical affection for Leni is still strong. All his perceptions of her prove to be true and correct. Even meeting her here, she is still bewitchingly enigmatic to him due to her reticence.