A Spanish-gothic version of a Patricia Highsmith novel Jon and Katharina spend the winter on the Cantabrian coast, in Jon's large childhood home, trying to fix their relationship. One night, strange lights appear in the sky, leading to an influx of visitors camping out on the beach in hopes of extraterrestrial contact. At the same time, the couple's precarious routine is disturbed by the unexpected arrival of Markel, Jon's distant cousin, who had moved to Chile as a child and is now traveling throughout Europe with the attractive and silent Virginia. The awkwardness of the situation is heightened by the fact that the cousins can't remember ever meeting, leading Jon to doubt that Markel is who he says he is. Meanwhile, Virginia's presence becomes more and more threatening and, little by little, these strangers begin to take over the house . . . A deliciously odd novella, The Strangers introduces English readers to a singular talent.
