The novel tells the story of a general in the twilight of his life, living in isolation within his vast palace, surrounded by his military and political past. The general suffers an internal collapse stemming from the crimes and atrocities he committed throughout his long career in power. When he is struck by a terminal illness, he attempts to put his life in order and reflect upon his brutal past, while those remaining around him—including his servants and inner circle—watch his fate unfold with a mixture of pity and greed.