'Its been a long time since Ive read a book that was so persuasive and moving, so intelligently conceived.' - Mario Vargas Llosa. Miren and Bittori have been best friends all their lives, growing up in the same small town in the north of Spain. With limited interest in politics, the terrorist threat posed by ETA seems to affect them little. When Bittoris husband starts receiving threatening letters from the violent group, however demanding money, accusing him of being a police informant she turns to her friend for help. But Mirens loyalties are torn: her son Joxe Mari has just been recruited to the group as a terrorist and to denounce them as evil would be to condemn her own flesh and blood. Tensions rise, relationships fracture, and events race towards a violent, tragic conclusion . . .