Set against the stunning backdrop of Northern California, the narrative follows a woman's journey to restore her family home while exploring her past. As she delves into her mother's newly found journals, she reconnects with her childhood village and its landscape. The story intertwines her personal journey with themes from Proust's In Search of Lost Time, highlighting the complexities of memory and the passage of time.
Dr. Aira, a skeptical and unconventional doctor in his forties, grapples with his miraculous abilities while battling his arch-nemesis, Dr. Actyn, the chief of Piñero Hospital. Despite his talent for miracles, he has lost faith in them and feels a sense of shame about his powers. The narrative unfolds through his quirks and insecurities, leading him into a complex web of challenges. César Aira masterfully blends the magical with the human experience, creating a unique exploration of belief, identity, and the struggle between skepticism and wonder.
Was it a nightmare--the result of a bad case of indigestion--or did something truly scary happen after dinner in the Argentine town of Coronel Pringles?