The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Galgut, Damon. The Promise. Europa Editions, 2021.

Damon Galgut's novel The Promise is set in South Africa. The narrative begins in 1986, and traces roughly 30 years in the lives of the Swart family. The novel is written from a third person free indirect point of view and employs the present tense. The following summary adheres to a largely linear mode of explanation.

In "Ma," Amor Swart is 13 years old when her mother, Rachel, dies. Though Rachel has been sick for some time, Amor cannot process the news. Desperate for space from her family's dramas and tensions, Amor flees the family house. She sits on a nearby hill to think about what has happened. Suddenly she remembers a conversation she overheard between her parents a few weeks prior. Her father, Manie, promised Rachel that he would formally give their housekeeper, Salome, the house where she has been living for years.

Amor later tells Manie, her siblings Anton and Astrid, and her extended family members about the promise. When they hear her account, they all scoff. Salome is a black woman, and therefore cannot be the legal recipient of the deed. Amor does not understand, but also does not forget the promise.

In "Pa," nearly 10 years after Rachel's death, Astrid calls Anton to tell him that Manie is in a coma. Manie has had a close relationship with the local minister, Alwyn Simmers, for many years. He therefore trusted Alwyn when he encouraged him to descend into a cage of poisonous snakes and trust God to protect him. A snake bit and poisoned Manie.

When Anton hears the news, he decides it is time to make amends with Manie. He has not spoken to him in nine years.

Amor has also been removed from the family since Rachel's passing. She has kept in motion for many years, moving from one place to the next. Returning to South Africa, and to the family farm, yanks her back into the past. So much has changed over the years, yet her memories feel just as poignant.

During family meetings regarding Manie's will and the children's inheritance, Amor asks about Salome's house. Anton promises to resolve the issue, though he has no real intent on giving the property away.

In "Astrid," Astrid is married to her childhood sweetheart Dean, and the mother of two children. Her life feels unsatisfying and bleak. In order to disrupt her otherwise mundane existence, she has an affair with a security man named Jake. She eventually leaves Dean for Jake. This relationship also proves dissatisfying. She then starts sleeping with Jake's colleague. Feeling guilty, she goes to confession, but the priest refuses her absolution. On her way home afterwards, a stranger slips into her car, threatens her, and eventually murders her.

Both Anton and Amor are shocked by the news of their sister's death. The incident particularly affects Anton. When Anton and Amor are back together, they try to support each other, but the issue of Salome's house divides them once more.

In "Anton," years have passed and Anton is married to his childhood sweetheart, Desirée. Their love has faded and Anton has become increasingly disillusioned. He is filled with shame, regret, and self-loathing. He has not even been able to complete his novel, which he has been working on for many years. One night, Anton gets drunk and wanders around the property. Finally, in a fit of despair, he shoots himself.

Amor returns to the farm after her brother's funeral. She and Desirée work together to resolve the issue of the property. Amor gives Salome the house, and feels relieved. She scatters Anton's ashes before leaving, thus making peace with her past.