In this novel, Juan Goytisolo, one of Spain's most celebrated novelists, takes the voice of those Spaniards who grew up during the Spanish Civil War, when the caudillo Franco.

He remembers his harsh Catholic upbringing, how the whole family fled to France during the Spanish Civil War, how they returned under Franco and the revolt that ensued.

While attending the funeral of one of his university lecturers, again in present time, he remembers his student days and his coming of age while being introduced to sex, politics and extremist thinkers.

On several similar occasions Alvaro is reminded of his life up to that point, and many memories have connections to the political climate in Spain during the most riotous years preceding and following the Spanish Civil War and the Francoist State, like the so-called Events of Yeste.

Alvaro also reflects on what has become of his home region, Andalusia in Spain, and the tourist industry that has besieged the coastline, in comparison to the roots of the land, beginning in Cuba and slavery.