Gossip is always rife in the small village of Dumbas, Norway, but never more so than when it comes to the fiery and seductive Aida Riverteig. When respected teacher Robin Holm, bored with the banter of his overbearing mother-in-law and lonely with his wife working in Oslo, looks for adventure, he finds it-- with Aida. Both trapped in marriages to partners for whom they feel no sexual attraction, Robin and Aida are drawn together both physically and emotionally-- she becomes his escape from boredom and family wrangles, and he is soon her lover and comforter through ecstasy and tragedy.