From the moment that Gjorg's brother is killed by a neighbour, his own life is forfeit.

The code of Kanun requires Gjorg to kill his brother's murderer and then in turn be hunted down. After shooting his brother's killer, young Gjorg is entitled to thirty days' grace - not enough to see out the month of April.

Then a visiting honeymoon couple cross the path of the fugitive. The bride's heart goes out to Gjorg, and even these civilised strangers from the city risk becoming embroiled in the fatal mechanism of vendetta.

''One of the most remarkable European novelists of the twentieth century'' Independent