Summary

The book opens with one of the main characters, Laure, getting ready to return home. Before she gets the chance, she’s mugged by an unknown man. Laure is terrified, and discovers that she had her whole life in that bag. She can’t return home, so she decides to go to a hotel instead. She’s able to convince the desk attendant that she was mugged and will be able to pay for her room once she’s had the chance to get everything in order. He allows her to stay.

Analysis

Laure getting mugged is what sets up the main plot of the book. When she’s mugged, she loses her prized handbag, and more importantly all of the items that are inside, including a red notebook. Laure is very sentimental and...