Spanning five generations, the Scorta family saga begins in 1870 with Rocco Scorta Mascalzone, the bastard product of a rape and a notorious scoundrel. Burdened by a legacy of infamous crimes and forsaken loves, its lineage doomed to struggle, the Scortas nevertheless are blessed: with pride and a relentless faith in their own power. Their wealth lies in their memories and their collective belief in the pursuit of happiness.

In a narrative both lyrical and linear, Laurent Gaudé interweaves a compelling story with a timeless message and the recollections of old Carmela as she delivers her final confession to the family priest, exposing the Scortas' most deeply buried secret.