Book I, The Drowned City Summary

A young boy, Jakob Beer, emerges from the bog at the Beskupin archeological site as though he were an artifact reborn. The site, twenty-five centuries old, has been perfectly preserved in peat. It is uncovered over several years by archaeologists, and then deliberately smashed and reburied by the Nazis. He hides in the bog as Nazis smash in the door, kill his parents, and make off with Jakob's beautiful, fifteen-year-old sister, who is too big to hide behind the wallpaper. From his hiding place in the river, Jakob sees the spirits of the dead ascending. He feels his mother inside him, saying goodbye. Jacob runs into the dark forest, where he seeks food by night and hides, terrified, by day, dreaming about Bella. One morning Jakob senses that Bella has died. One autumn day, Jakob...