The curiously contrived family of Simón, Inés and Davíd resettle in the city of Estrella, after being forced to flee their previous home in Novilla. There they seek to continue the schooling of the headstrong and gifted boy, Davíd. Davíd starts attending a Dance Academy and falls under the influence of his charismatic teacher and the unnerving doorman, Dmitri. The sequel to "The Childhood of Jesus", which was longlisted for the Folio Prize and the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.