Chapters 1-13

The narrator, Sophie van Vlaanderen, begins by describing her nephew Pieter's childhood. Because Sophie has lived with her brother and his family for many years, she has known Pieter his entire life. His relationship with his father has always been strained because his father is harsh and distant. Sophie believes that Pieter has his father's strength and masculinity and his mother's gentleness and caring nature.

From the very beginning, Sophie refers to the family's eventual destruction and how she might have saved Pieter from his fall. Because she tells the story in past tense, she often foreshadows events to come.

Pieter has grown up and was a decorated soldier in the war, after which he was given a highranking position with the police. As secondin- command, he is resented by Sergeant Steyn, who is older and more experienced than Pieter, and yet must report to him...