In a post-apocalyptic landscape defined by the collapse of civilization, a young woman named Marianne finds herself caught between the rigid, intellectual order of the Professors and the chaotic, primal violence of the Barbarians. Marianne seeks to navigate the shifting power dynamics of this fractured world while contending with the predatory nature of the tribal groups that surround her. The narrative framework utilizes a detached, lyrical prose style to examine the collision of myth and reality. As she is abducted by a Barbarian named Jewel, the protagonist must confront the brutal physical constraints of her environment and the logical inconsistencies of the warring factions.

Discussion often centers on the author's ability to blend high-concept literary theory with the visceral elements of a post-apocalyptic setting. Readers frequently highlight the unsettling atmosphere and the deliberate, dreamlike pacing that characterizes the narrative. Critics often point to the book as a significant early example of the author's preoccupation with the construction of myths and the deconstruction of social norms. The text is noted for its challenging structure and its refusal to provide easy resolutions to the central conflicts. Many readers appreciate the work for its sharp, uncompromising look at the fragility of human institutions.