It is in the psychological thriller genre, dealing with themes of alienation, isolation and loss of spiritual values.

It was made into a film in 1974 starring Elizabeth Taylor and featuring Andy Warhol.

[2] Lise works in an accountancy firm somewhere in Northern Europe, probably Denmark (the location is not explicitly specified).

It is eventually revealed that Lise has suffered years of illness; she behaves erratically and often confrontationally, and wears garish clothing.

Lise travels to a South European city, probably Rome, ostensibly to meet her illusory boyfriend.