Book I, Phosphorus Summary

In 1968, Jakob and Bella enter a soundless, colorful dream. A river flows to the music of Brahms. When Bella disappears, the dream turns nightmarish and Jakob feels wrong about being married to Alex and living in a foreign land. He feels as though he has disappeared and Bella is searching for him. He recalls Bella's practicing and playing with adult passions.

Jakob meets Alex at a fine music library in the park where he listens to composers systematically by alphabet. She is an energetic woman who is adept at punning. Raised by her physician father on stories of the British military and word wit, she develops a passion for listening to music. Acting sophisticated, Alex is awkwardly innocent and seems to promise Jakob freedom. It takes five years for their attraction to end, but the signs show early. Jakob...