As a string quartet gathers to practice in 1938 Tokyo, the military police burst in and arrest the violinist Yu in front of his son, Rei. He will never see Yu again, but thanks to a mysterious lieutenant, Rei escapes with the shattered violin. In 2003 Paris, Rei—now Jacques—has dedicated his life to building fine instruments, yet something in him remains broken. When a famous violinist comes to him, Jacques's memories are rekindled, and in this winner of the Prix des Libraires, he has a chance to finally heal.