Anna Wulf, a writer grappling with the fragmentation of her identity, attempts to reconcile her disparate experiences by recording them in four separate colored notebooks. As she navigates the complexities of single motherhood, political disillusionment within the Communist Party, and the erosion of her creative drive, she faces the daunting task of integrating these fractured accounts into a single, cohesive whole. The narrative employs a non-linear, meta-fictional structure that mirrors the protagonist's psychological state, forcing the reader to piece together the reality behind her subjective accounts. Anna must confront the societal pressures and personal contradictions that threaten to dismantle her sense of self.

This work is widely recognized as a foundational text of twentieth-century literature, frequently cited for its innovative approach to narrative structure and its unflinching examination of the female experience. Critics often highlight the book's complexity, noting how it demands active engagement from the reader to navigate its layered, fragmented reality. The novel's influence extends beyond its initial publication, remaining a central point of discussion in academic circles regarding the intersection of politics, gender, and identity. It is frequently analyzed for its bold rejection of traditional linear storytelling in favor of a more authentic, albeit challenging, representation of human consciousness.