Tereza and Ivan share secrets. Tereza is now in art school away from the town where she grew up. Ivan is a teacher and artist. Tereza is now nineteen, Ivan is fifty-seven. They have known each other for years.

Tereza shares her secrets with her friend Silvia. Ivan does not tell anyone. He constructs memories of Tereza to keep in his bed at night, covering them with sweat and tears.

In this minimalist, poetic novella with autobiographical elements, Nicol Hochholczerova weaves a story of obsession and power and how both can lead to damage and separation. Rich with symbolism, its explosive themes - of eating disorder, abusive control and family dysfunction - are delicately handled with honesty and intelligence.

Translated by: Julia Sherwood, Peter Sherwood