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This book collects almost all the short stories that Javier Marías claims to be "recognized and acceptable", showing a series of characters who are anxious in their predicaments, including victims of mistaken identity, amateur detectives, eavesdroppers, professional liars, delinquent bodyguards, etc. In "The Night Doctor," a dinner meeting turns into a nighttime walk through Paris, leading to two similar Italian women, both with unpleasant husbands, and a mysterious doctor who may be able to end their unhappy marriages in a late-night consultation. In "Broken Telescope," an innocent conversation at a racecourse gradually turns into a straightforward discussion of murder and silence. In "Sexy Sunday," a man on his honeymoon looks from the hotel terrace to a woman who may or may not be waiting for him, while his wife is lying on the bed behind him. Marias's novels are uniquely charming, immersing people in a state of wanting to stop and unable to look away, and this book is an excellent entry into the world of Marias' novels.

This is a novel by the Spanish writer Javier Marías. The title of the book is quoted from "Hamlet". After Hamlet mistakenly killed Polonius, the traitor behind the curtain, he said: "The misfortune has begun, and greater disasters are still coming." The story takes place in Madrid in 1980. The protagonist Juan is about to finish college and works as a personal assistant to the smash hit film director Muriel. Muriel is gentle, elegant and cautious in words and deeds. He is an irresistible idol in the minds of young people. Muriel has a doctor friend who has been involved in rumors recently. He asks Juan to help investigate, but as he gets closer to the truth, more mysteries are revealed. In this book, Marias takes us deep into the character's fascination, boldly exploring the ever-blurred lines of hatred, doubt, loyalty, trust, and the deceptions perpetrated on us by those we deeply influence.