A boy's journey through post-war Catalan trauma, uncovering family lies and losing his innocence.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Shadows of the Past
Andreu discovers a brutal murder and his father is falsely accused by the mayor. He is sent to live with relatives in a grim household.
Key Events
Murder Discovery — Andreu finds the bodies of Dionís and his son. Characters: AndreuLocation: Forest
False Accusation — Mayor blames Farriol for the murders due to his political past. Characters: Andreu, FarriolLocation: Town Square
Father's Flight — Farriol decides to flee to France to avoid arrest. Characters: Farriol, FlorènciaLocation: Farmhouse
Relocation — Andreu is sent to live with his aunt Ció and relatives. Characters: Andreu, CióLocation: Paternal House
Secret Affairs — Andreu observes village secrets and aunt's complicated life. Characters: Ció, AndreuLocation: Farmhouse
Secrets in the Attic
Andreu bonds with Núria and discovers his father hiding in the attic. The house search leads to Farriol's arrest and a desperate plea for help.
Key Events
Secret Affairs — Andreu observes village secrets and aunt's complicated life. Characters: Ció, AndreuLocation: Farmhouse
Forest Friendship — Andreu and Núria bond while exploring the woods together. Characters: Andreu, NúriaLocation: Forest
Hidden Father — Andreu discovers Farriol hiding in the attic. Characters: Andreu, FarriolLocation: Farmhouse Attic
House Search — Mayor's men search the house and find Farriol. Characters: Andreu, Farriol, CióLocation: Farmhouse
Imprisonment — Farriol is arrested and sent to jail. Characters: Farriol, AndreuLocation: Prison
Jail Visit — Farriol tells Andreu to ask Mrs. Manubens for help. Characters: Andreu, FarriolLocation: Prison
Unearthing Truths
Florència's failed intervention and the cave discovery expose dark family secrets. Florència confesses her past complicity in a violent act.
Key Events
Jail Visit — Farriol tells Andreu to ask Mrs. Manubens for help. Characters: Andreu, FarriolLocation: Prison
Mother's Plea — Florència visits the wealthy lady to request intervention. Characters: Florència, AndreuLocation: Manubens Estate
Mayor's Rejection — Mayor exploits Florència and refuses to help. Characters: FlorènciaLocation: Mayor's Office
Dark Revelation — Andreu and Núria find names of culprits on cave wall. Characters: Andreu, NúriaLocation: Cave
Maternal Confession — Florència admits her past involvement in Pitorliua's fate. Characters: Andreu, FlorènciaLocation: Home
Death Sentence — Farriol is condemned to death. Characters: Farriol, Andreu, FlorènciaLocation: Prison
Broken Bonds
Farriol's execution and the final revelation shatter Andreu's worldview. He rejects his family and accepts a cold, isolated future.
Key Events
Death Sentence — Farriol is condemned to death. Characters: Farriol, Andreu, FlorènciaLocation: Prison
Final Goodbye — Family visits Farriol before execution. Characters: Andreu, Florència, FarriolLocation: Prison
Funeral & Truth — Pauletta reveals Farriol killed Dionís on orders. Characters: Andreu, FlorènciaLocation: Cemetery
Family Betrayal — Andreu learns his parents were paid killers. Characters: Andreu, FlorènciaLocation: Home
Rejection of Family — Andreu decides to stay at boarding school instead of fleeing. Characters: Andreu, FlorènciaLocation: Home
Boarding School — Florència visits Andreu, who coldly dismisses her. Characters: Andreu, FlorènciaLocation: School
Estranged Farewell — Andreu tells a classmate she is just a village woman. Characters: Andreu, FlorènciaLocation: School Gate
Lost Innocence — Andreu accepts his fate, rejecting his family's lies. Characters: AndreuLocation: School
Story Breakdown
Inciting Tragedy — The brutal murder sets the political and emotional stakes in motion.
Murder Discovery — Andreu finds the bodies and witnesses the aftermath.
False Accusation — The mayor scapegoats Farriol due to his political background.
Family Displacement — Andreu is removed from his home and placed with relatives.
Relocation to Relatives — Andreu moves to the paternal household in the countryside.
Aunt's Household — Ció and other relatives navigate a grim domestic life.
Hidden Fugitive — The father's secret presence disrupts the household routine.
Attic Discovery — Andreu accidentally finds Farriol hiding in the attic.
House Search — Authorities raid the home and arrest Farriol.
Maternal Desperation — Florència seeks external help to save her husband.
Plea to Mayor — Florència visits the wealthy Mrs. Manubens for intervention.
Failed Intervention — The mayor exploits Florència and refuses to act.
Dark Revelations — Exploration uncovers the true architects of past violence.
Cave Investigation — Andreu and Núria find incriminating names on the cave wall.
Maternal Confession — Florència admits her role in the original conspiracy.
Ideological Execution — The state delivers its final judgment on Farriol.
Jail Farewell — Farriol imparts his political beliefs to Andreu.
Death Sentence — The court condemns Farriol to execution.
Shattered Innocence — The final truth destroys Andreu's trust in his parents.
Truth of Murders — Pauletta reveals Farriol was the hired killer.
Family Rejection — Andreu decides to stay at boarding school instead of fleeing.
Cold Resolution — Andreu accepts his isolated future and severs emotional ties.
Boarding School — Andreu begins his new life under institutional care.
Estranged Future — Andreu coldly dismisses his mother's visit.
In the harsh post-war years' Catalan countryside, Andreu, a child that belongs to the losing side, finds the corpses of a man and his son in the forest. The authorities want his father to be made responsible of the deaths, but Andreu tries to help his father by finding out who truly killed them. In this search, Andreu develops a moral consciousness against a world of adults fed by lies. In order to survive, he betrays his own roots and ends up finding out the monster that lives within him.
