Isak Fossum, a Norwegian writer and superstar is working on the sequel to his first book. This work is tearing on his soul and leads Isak to feel the pressure of not being able to deliver what is expected of him, both from his line of work and from his beautiful wife Isabell. He has been given a deadline, he has one month to complete a draft for his new novel. At this point in life Isak is scared of losing everything and the pain makes him very unstable. His relationship with Isabell is struggling. One day she decides to arrange a vacation to save their relationship. But Isak doesn't know that Isabell has her own agenda. She wants something, something he can't give. This is the trip that may change them forever.
Growing resentment between brothers Anthony and Alex Turner, one successful and the other struggling, leads to tragic consequences.
The day of the cremation of her grand mother, Emilie, a young mixed-race Asian girl, buries herself into her grandmother memories. She discovers the Indochina of Hoa, her romantic encounter with Jacques (a French colon), the birth of Linh (Emilie's mother) and her tragic departure to France in 1956. She relives with Linh the arrival into the camp of Sainte-Livrade, the exploitation of the Indochinese women by the market gardeners of Lot-et-Garonne. Between memories, dance, anger and traditional rituals, Emilie learns to accept this heritage.
The career of an embittered former horror star who longs for his glory days comes gruesomely full circle.