Illustrations used are taken from "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner", Orlando Furioso, "The Raven", Don Quixote, Legend of Croquemitane, Gargantua and Pantagruel, Paradise Lost, and the Bible.

The story begins with 12-year-old Gustave, captain of the Aventure as he attempts to escape the deadly Siamese Twins Tornado.

When the storm finally catches up with his crew, everyone is killed except Gustave, who meets Death, and his crazy sister Dementia.

After the wicked siblings play dice for Gustave's soul, Death gives him six seemingly impossible tasks in order to stay alive.

[3] In one night, he must face six giants, rescue a damsel in distress from the clutches of a dragon, make himself conspicuous amidst a forest of evil spirits, encounter the Most Monstrous of all Monsters, and even meet himself.