The protagonists of this story are Franco and Nadja, whose relationship begins as a chance, lunchtime encounter in a bar not far from the small hilltop town of Montelorenzo in southern Tuscany. Franco comes from an established, artisan family in the town and, although university educated, follows in his father's footsteps as a cabinet maker.

Nadja is a spirited and determined but anxious young woman with an ever-present phobia. Since her mother died giving birth to her, she was brought up by her father, a fervent Communist who named her Nadja after the wives of both Lenin and Stalin. Nadja is short for Nadezhda, which means 'Hope' in Russian. The story illustrates the legacy of history and the lasting effect it has on all our lives. Nadja becomes, both literally and metaphorically, Franco's Hope, until the Three Fates of Greek mythology intervene.