Journalists are badgering the eccentric Belgrade painter Nikola Matovic because his wife, the Swiss Countess of Vanforherden, almost three-times-older his senior, died during sexual intercourse. He decides to tell his story to young, emerging writer Nikola Misovic and hires him to write his confession. The young writer accepts the offer enthusiastically, wishing to become famous on the wave of publicity that surrounds the painter. However, he has no idea in what direction their conversations will go. The painter begins the story from when he loses his virginity at eighteen. He wants the deed done in a brothel instead of the usual way. Having a peculiar fetish, he fears that girls will reject him and seeks a prostitute, not realizing that he is actually looking for love. The brothel world shapes him as a young man, but with prospects for a well paying job slim in Serbia, he must push himself to make money to pay for his prostitutes. Yet, his sexual need awakens his creativity, which even affects his art. A fast-paced and thrilling novel about sexual awakening and the maturing of a young man in unfavorable circumstances. While Misovic stoically overcomes the obstacles on his path, will it make him lose his soul?
