Told from the point of view of a spirit child, or abiku, the novel begins as an origin story: “In that land of beginnings spirits mingled with the unborn” (3). The narrator knows he always has one foot in the spirit world, but he has decided to stay in the material world—mostly because he wishes to make his mother happy. He laments the constant pain of women who lose their spirit children. He is aware, however, that his time on earth is one of exile from his true home in the spirit world.

His unique status as a spirit child is difficult, because he frequently hears “the voices of my spirit companions” (7), who beckon him away from his family. He is named Lazaro, often shortened to Azaro, because of his associations with the biblical figure of Lazarus. One fateful night, Azaro leaves the house and wanders along the road; when his parents come looking for him, they turn to find the compound where they live on fire. The landlord forces them to stay, even among the burning buildings and riot that follows, and summons police officers to reinforce his orders. Amid the chaos, strange women “smelling of bitter herbs” (11) take Azaro away.