The events take place at the beginning of the 19th century on the island of Corsica, in a harsh mountainous region where traditions of honor and strict moral codes are strong. The action unfolds over the course of a single day and focuses on one family. The story is written in a realistic and very restrained style: the language is simple, with no excess emotion or description. Behind its outward brevity lies an intense moral conflict connected with the choice between personal feelings and social rules.
