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The novel follows Alfred Issendorf, a Dutch geologist, as he undertakes an expedition to Finnmark, northern Norway, to verify his dissertation director's theory about meteorite craters.

The story is layered, functioning as a report of a geological expedition, a psychological exploration of a young man's urge to supersede his father's achievements, and a philosophical quest symbolizing the search for the 'holy grail'.

The narrative explores themes of identity, self-discovery, and the impossibility of fully understanding life's fundamental mysteries.

The book is notable for its circular structure and its reflection of post-war Dutch society's self-criticisms and moral sensitivities.