It is a novel about a group of students at a small elite college who study ancient Greek literature under the guidance of a charismatic professor. They strive for beauty, intellect, and perfection — until their philosophical games lead to murder. The main character, Richard, tells the story from within, as an outsider drawn into a closed world where admiration turns into obsession and morality slowly fades away.
The atmosphere is cold, filled with the scent of dusty books, autumn fog, the detachment of academia, and a slowly growing sense of unease.