together amidst the haunting beauty of the city. At the start of the novel, Hugues lives in a large, quiet house in Bruges, where he has spent the last five years since his wife's death. He is portrayed as a solitary figure, haunted by memories and consumed with his sense of loss. As he prepares to go for his usual evening walk, he reminisces about his time with his wife and his desire to preserve their memories. During his walk, the gloomy atmosphere of the city mirrors his inner turmoil, highlighting the deep connection between his grief and Bruges. The narrative suggests that Hugues is both seeking solace in the city and trying to escape the weight of his sorrow, setting up a poignant exploration of love and mourning as the story unfolds. (This is an automatically generated summary.)