an intriguing foundation that promises a mix of childhood curiosity and grim adult themes. The opening of the book introduces us to Mary, a seven-year-old girl, and her cousin Tulotte as they traverse a heatwave-stricken landscape toward the town's abattoir. Mary is curious and somewhat defiant, leading to a comedic conflict as she expresses her discomfort and wishes to see the cows. As they reach the abattoir, Mary witnesses the brutal process of slaughtering animals, which deeply affects her. The scene is filled with stark contrasts: the playfulness of childhood curiosity meets the harsh realities of life and death. Mary's emotional turmoil surfaces through her feverish dreams, merging her innocence with haunting fears about mortality and her family dynamics, notably her mother's illness and her father's sternness. (This is an automatically generated summary.)