This book is based on actual events. It is Chile. After the coup of September 11, 1973 t7hat toppled the democratically socialist government of Salvador Allende and brought military regime of Augusto Pinochet to power Isabelle's husband, a diplomatic attache with the Allende government, has been taken. It is to Pudahuel, a sprawling slum suburb of Santiago than fragile and aristocratic Isabelle flees with her young daughter Theda. In Pudahuel Theda grows up solitary and strange, plays with imaginary friends Ramfis and Nemris and hears premonitory voices..Until, after eleven years her mother tells her of her true origin. Then things begin to happen.