User:Bodofzt/sandbox

The novel starts with a fragment of a newspaper article that informs about new findings in the case of a notable Buenos Aires murder-suicide, committed by Alejandra Vidal against her father Fernando in 1955. The novel is subsequently divided into four parts; the first, the second and the fourth parts recount main character Martín del Castillo's tormenting relationship with Alejandra, while the third part is a first-person narrative by Fernando, which is referenced in the newspaper article and tells about his distorted obsession with, and fear of, the blind.

In 1953, seventeen year-old Martín is a troubled boy from Buenos Aires, trying to find his path in life amid his problematic relationship with his parents and his lack of existential perspectives. In his aimless wanders through Buenos Aires, he meets Alejandra, an equally troubled eighteen year-old from a once-prominent family. Brief amicable encounters alternate with long disappearances on her side, during which Martín becomes obsessed with her until they get closer and, eventually, romantically involved. She tells him about her relatives' involvement in 19th century history of Argentina, her family's fall from grace, her living relatives, and her tumultuous teenage years.

By and by, Alejandra tries to distance herself from Martín, telling him that she in, in fact, a bad company for him, and that she does not want to hurt him. Although their encounters become more and more sporadic, she gives in to meeting him again whenever he searches her, but every time they grow more apart. Martín understands that he will never get to know her intrinsically: She will always remain a stranger to him. During this realization, he becomes obsessed with some of Alejandra's attitudes towards some issues, like the name Fernando

Meanwhile, Martín tries to find a job