Set in the turn-of-the-century Indonesian archipelago, the novel follows Axel Heyst, a detached and enigmatic European who has isolated himself on an island in the company of his Chinese assistant, Wang. Heyst's solitary existence is disrupted when he rescues Lena, a distressed young woman, from a hotel owned by the malevolent Schomberg. The couple's attempt to live a reclusive life together is threatened when three sinister figures arrive on the island, seeking revenge and fortune. The narrative unfolds as a dark tale of love, betrayal, and existential despair, exploring themes of isolation, the consequences of detachment, and the quest for personal victory amidst the inherent corruption of human interactions.

The 1831st greatest book of all time