“The events of the novel take place in a fantasy world centered around a village located on the side of a hill, hence its inhabitants call it Hillside. It is surrounded by a vast forest with giant trees called the Forest of Shadows, which they believe is the end of the world and that nothing exists beyond it. In the village, there are ancient ruins with inscriptions that no one understands.
The protagonist of the novel is a young man named Parseno, born with albinism; he has white hair, white skin, and blue eyes. Because of this, the villagers shun him and call him the Child of the Curse, believing he was born without the blessing of the sun. They hold the belief that the sun, moon, and light protect them from the darkness and lurking dangers of the Forest of Shadows.
No one dares to enter the forest except for an old woodcutter named Orkin, who brings firewood to the village. Therefore, the protagonist, along with his friend Akino, decides to uncover the secret of the woodcutter.”
_ Ahmed Salah Al Mahdi