Bennedith

Bennedith is one of the novel’s primary characters. In the narrative present, she is 45 years old. She has just received a grant to travel to Madrid, Spain. Although the grant has given her the opportunity to live outside of her home country, Sweden, Bennedith feels neither exhilarated nor enlivened upon her arrival in Madrid. Rather, she feels haunted by the life she once lived in Madrid when she was a student. Then one night, eager to experience something outside the confines of her apartment, Bennedith visits a local bar where she meets the curious Mercuro. Despite her initial hesitations, she agrees to house Mercuro at her apartment. She is particularly eager to hear his story about the allegedly maniacal nun, Lucia.

After hearing Mercuro’s story, Bennedith realizes how similar she and her new companion are. They have both made mistakes and are both eager to change...