Summary

Chapter 1 opens in Ireland in the 1970s. Ireland is currently embroiled in the Troubles, an irregular military conflict, with Ireland on one side, and England and Northern Ireland on the other side. The unnamed protagonist is a young woman who is 18 years old. She lives with her widowed mother and younger sisters. One day, Young Woman is walking down the street, reading an old novel, when a local man named Milkman (who is not actually a milkman) drives by in his car and offers her a ride. Milkman’s manner seems vaguely threatening. Young Woman declines the offer and walks away. In the following days, Milkman continues to approach her on the street, and people begin to gossip that they have a secret relationship. Young Woman is harshly and unjustly reprimanded by her Eldest Sister and First-Brother-in-Law. It soon becomes clear that government operatives...