In 1948 when he is fifteen Trond spends a summer in the country with his father The events
- the accidental death of a child his best friend's feelings of guilt & eventual disappearance his father's decision to leave the family for another woman
- will change his life forever An early morning adventure out stealing horses leaves Trond bruised & puzzled by his friend Jon's sudden breakdown The tragedy which lies behind this scene becomes the catalyst for the two boys' families gradually to fall apart As a 67-year-old man & following the death of his wife Trond has moved to an isolated part of Norway to live in solitude But a chance encounter with a character from the fateful summer of 1948 brings the painful memories of that year flooding back & will leave Trond even more convinced of his decision to end his days alone