A subtle, unusual, elegantly sophisticated novel. Mr. Lin is a forced immigrant. He does not speak French, European traditions are alien to him. He is alone and defenseless. During the civil war in his distant country, he lost his entire family, leaving only his granddaughter, whom the old man doted on. She never cries, no one has heard a single word from her. The old man does not part with her for a minute - it seems that if he lets her out of his hands, his life will end. The book is dedicated to “all Mr. Lin and their children,” to all of us, for whom the love of loved ones is the straw that holds and does not give abyss.