"Beowulf" is an Old English epic poem that tells the story of the eponymous hero, a Geatish warrior who comes to the aid of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall is under attack by a monster known as Grendel. Beowulf fights and defeats Grendel and his mother, earning the gratitude and friendship of Hrothgar. Later in his life, Beowulf becomes king of the Geats and faces his final battle with a deadly dragon. The poem explores themes of heroism, fate, and mortality, and is considered one of the most important works of Old English literature.

The novel centers on Lars Andemening, a Swedish book reviewer who is obsessed with the works of a fictionalized version of the real-life writer Bruno Schulz, who was killed by the Nazis during World War II. Lars, who believes himself to be Schulz's son, becomes entangled in the literary world's intrigue when a manuscript purported to be Schulz's lost masterpiece surfaces. As he seeks to authenticate the manuscript, Lars grapples with his identity, the haunting legacy of the Holocaust, and the elusive nature of truth and fiction. The narrative delves into themes of literary obsession, the search for belonging, and the enduring impact of historical trauma.