Irene is a fragile woman born to a German family in Romania, who has recently emigrated from her native country to West Germany. Politically and socially isolated, Irene moves within the orbit of three troubled men, while simultaneously embarking on an inner exploration of exile, homeland, and identity. The action in this volume may be slight, but Irene's innermost consciousness--where the political has indeed become the personal--is magnificently portrayed. --New York Times Book Review [A] profound story of dislocation. --Kirkus Reviews