Alex Coriel- Main character, philosopher, and mathematician

Prof. Maurice Craig- Alex’s uncle and professor of music

Tillie Craig- Maurice’s wife

Alda Craig- Maurice’s daughter by first marriage

Jim Craig- son of Maurice and Tillie

Aunt Christine- Alda’s mother and Maurice’s first wife

Philip Radagise- Alex’s friend and biocyberneticist

Sinbar Atulf- Doctor; colleauge of Philip

Annie Banigge- biologist in the biocybernetics lab

Kabimba- central African working on his dissertation in the lab

Terbolm- social cyberneticist

The General- a general intersested in using Philip’s techniques on soldiers

This extraordinary play by Russian Nobel Prize winner Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is the story of a man just returned from prison and an exile in the desert to his family and friends. This man, Alex Coriel, seeks out his long-lost uncle, Maurice Craig, his only immediate family still living. While in self-exile, Alex had become quite the philosopher and upon returning to civilization, discussed many theories with his uncle. Maurice’s wife, Tillie (30 years his younger) and their 19 year old son are relatively indifferent to Alex’s past or his being around at all. Maurice tells Alex of Alda, Maurice’s daughter, who he doesn’t even have any pictures of. While the Craig family argues about water-skiing and other nonsense, Alex watches, interested, until Philip Radagise, their next-door neighbor, enters. Alex recognizes Philip because they had been long-time friends and were both in prison together. Philip won’t allow Alex to tell anyone that he had been in prison because he is embarrassed. Philip is a proud biocyberneticist and a believer in science. This is quite the opposite from his former lifestyle; he used to be a philosopher and Alex was the scientist. They debate over the place of science in society for some time. Philip suggests that Alex come work with him at the university. Alex decides to stay with his uncle for a while so that he can get to know his family and be near his friend and considers the job. (Philip is not as morally upstanding as it may seem. For example, he has a long-standing affair with Tillie.)

Alex goes to visit Alda, his cousin by Maurice’s first marriage. She is a little crazy, or more appropriately, unstable. She is extremely upset by loud noises, like the constant sonic booms from a nearby air field, or severe and sudden stress, like an argument. She lives with her mother, Christine, who’s greatest attribute is her affinity for cats. Alda’s sanity slips in and out, and this disturbs Alex. He finds that she, in his memory being a wonderful piano player, has given up music. Neither she nor Christine were ever supported by Maurice.

Alex goes to work with Philip at the biocybernetics lab at the university. They primarily study biocurrents, a kind of energy released by the body. A member of the research team, Kabimba, is returning to his home in central Africa to help found a school. Philip is upset with the research assistants for messing up the experiments. Philip tells Alex about his paraplegic wife and how he wants a divorce. Sinbar and Annie, partners in the biocurrent experiments with Alex and Philip, are anxious to start using human subjects and are worried about running out of grant money. Alex has asked Alda to come in to get some biocurrent testing done so that she could be stabilized and not be afraid anymore. Alda is unsure, but finally agrees after promises and prompting from Annie and Alex.

Terbolm, a researcher in Social Cybernetics (a field in competition with Alex and Philip), discusses philosophy with Alex, who enjoy it very much. Also in the conversation is an army general who is looking for applications of Social Cybernetics or Biocybernetics in the army. The general is introduced to Alda (who is much calmer to the state of unemotional due to the biocurrent stabilization) and is convinced that biocybernetics is applicable to the military. On the side, Annie and Philip discuss their prospective marriage and Philp’s wife. Tillie comes to tell Alda, Alex, and others that Maurice, who had fallen ill, had gotten much worse, although it didn’t seem to bother her at all. (During a conversation with Kabimba, it is hinted that they had several affairs as well.) Alda is actually upset about Maurice’s condition; it was her first emotion shown all evening. Philip, Annie, and Sinbar are all upset that Alda has left and shown this emotion because she risks compromising her stabilization and thus, their work. Alex is furious and quits the university.

Alda is with Maurice when he dies. It was the first time they had really spoken in years. Alda plays Gute Nacht, from Franz Schubert’s Winterreise on the piano as he is dying. Maurice says that he wants Alda to have the piano. His last words are as he is singing with his daughter. Christine enters moments after he passes and reads from the Bible in a sort of benediction.

Alex is back in his hut in the desert and Alda is with him. Maurice’s relatives would not give Alda the piano. He believes she is going to stay with him, but Philip comes and takes her to be re-stabilized. Again Alex is left alone with his thoughts.