A chilling epidemic of 'pigs'—elderly people—sweeps through Buenos Aires, leading to a violent, organized extermination. The protagonist, a lonely intellectual, attempts to navigate this increasingly hostile world, seeking refuge and a semblance of normalcy. He finds himself drawn into a clandestine network of those trying to survive the escalating violence, facing the brutal reality of a society that has turned against its elders. The narrative unfolds through his diary entries, offering a stark, personal account of societal collapse and the human instinct for survival.

The novel is recognized for its prescient and disturbing portrayal of societal decay and the dehumanization of a vulnerable population. Critics have noted its bleak yet powerful examination of how fear and prejudice can lead to organized violence. The narrative's effectiveness lies in its intimate, diary-entry format, which immerses the reader in the protagonist's escalating dread and his struggle for survival. It serves as a stark allegory for the dangers of societal apathy and the consequences of unchecked discrimination.