Journalist Daniel Mandelkern travels to Italy to interview acclaimed writer Mark Svensson; on the way, he accidentally meets Tuuli, a character from Svensson's novel.

Daniel realizes he is not welcome at writer Svensson's remote estate; when Tuuli encourages him to stay, Daniel becomes fascinated with Svensson's novel.

Bar owner Laura thinks that Felix's death was not an accident and suspects Conti, the boat builder; Daniel shares with Tuuli memories of his wife Elisabeth, culminated by the loss of their child and Daniel's depression; they become very close.

After her mother's death in Finland, Tuuli is pregnant and starts a family in New York with Mark, Felix and three-legged dog Lua; on the Italian Lake Orta, Tuuli reveals a long-kept secret to Mark that Samuli is his son.

Tuuli gives birth to Samuli in New York on Sept. 11, 2001 while the city is in chaos -- and the relationship between her, Mark and Felix breaks down; at the house by the lake, the doubts about Felix's accidental death continue to grow.

Felix reveals to Mark that he plans to leave New York and raise Samuli alone with Tuuli; shattered, Mark starts a love story with photographer Kiki Kaufmann, which inspires Mark to write "Astroland."