While visiting his dying daughter, James Hillyer is confronted by a childhood acquaintance who demands he participate in a final, unsettling act of closure. James must navigate the emotional weight of his daughter's impending death while reconciling with a past he thought long buried. The narrative follows his internal struggle as he weighs the request of Gabriel Fontaine, a man from his youth in Gaspé, against his own desire for peace in his twilight years. The story unfolds through a reflective, character-driven lens that examines the intersection of memory, regret, and the inevitable passage of time.

This novel received significant critical acclaim upon its release, earning recognition as a Globe and Mail Book of the Year. Critics frequently highlighted the author's ability to handle heavy themes of mortality with a restrained and precise narrative voice. Readers often note the emotional resonance of the protagonist's situation, finding the portrayal of aging and loss to be both authentic and deeply felt. The work is widely regarded as a significant contribution to the author's body of work, solidifying his reputation for crafting intimate, character-focused dramas. The consensus suggests that the book succeeds by grounding its philosophical questions in the quiet, everyday realities of its characters.