ðə nˈɑːvəl bɪɡˈɪnz wɪð mˈæɡdə, ðə nˈæɹeɪɾɚ, ɹᵻkˈaʊntɪŋ ðə ɹᵻkˈɜːɹɪŋ dɹˈiːm ðæt hˈɔːnts hɜːɹ ɪn hɜːɹ ˈoʊld ˈeɪdʒ.
The novel begins with Magda, the narrator, recounting the recurring dream that haunts her in her old age.