Spinning around herself a few times, the young woman throws a bundle containing memories of a short, but passionate love into the lake, a mariner’s grave for a short story. In three parts, the novel tells the story of three generations of musicians, the mother, the son and the granddaughter, connected by their musical talent and their dedication.
    When Jet becomes pregnant with the child of a gifted cellist, her parents forbid a marriage. Just after the war, a Jewish boy is no match for a Catholic girl. She is sent to monastery and forced to give up their son after giving birth.
    Jurre is raised in a farmer’s family. He discovers the saxophone as a teenager, and much to his parents’ grief, decides to become a musician. When he discovers that they are his foster parents, he never finds the strength to confront them.
    Both Jet and Jurre remain silent about their past. And just like them, Jurre’s daughter Fine tries to express in music what she cannot say with words. But when she can no longer control her stage fright, her talent starts to become a burden.
    Why is it that a talent can be a gift, but also a curse? Often, such an outstanding trait can come to stand in the way of simpler things, such as leading a fulfilled live.