A gripping narrative that explores the affliction of autism. There are two central female characters: Ingrid Dorfling, Alexander's mother, who desperately tries to make her son more “human” and who loses almost everything in the process. The character parallel to Ingrid, is Miriam. She is the caregiver and the only one - with her childlike faith and wisdom - who understands “Boetatjie”. When nothing else seems to help, she sits with him under the wild olive tree and sings soothing songs.