The narrative follows the life of Gregorius, a man born of an incestuous union who inadvertently commits further transgressions before seeking divine redemption. Driven by the weight of his origins and the gravity of his unintended sins, Gregorius navigates a world governed by medieval morality and the harsh dictates of fate. He faces the physical isolation of the sea and the spiritual isolation of his penance, constantly contending with the forces of his own lineage and the expectations of the church. The narrative framework adopts a stylized, legendary tone, reflecting the structure of a medieval hagiography while maintaining the psychological depth characteristic of the author's prose.

Discussion often centers on the author's deliberate use of a mock-medieval tone to distance the reader from the stark, often disturbing subject matter. Readers frequently highlight the irony present in the prose, noting how the author balances the gravity of the protagonist's crimes with a detached, almost playful narrative style. Critics often observe that the work serves as a complex meditation on the possibility of redemption for even the most profound transgressions. The text is frequently analyzed for its departure from the author's more realist works, marking it as a unique experiment in mythic storytelling. Many readers find the blend of horror and spiritual triumph to be a challenging yet rewarding experience that invites repeated reflection.