The book is about a man writing a realist romance novel in which his main character (not coincidentally named Marguerite) is aware that she is being written about and is destined to be a part of a romance novel and fall in love with someone whom she detests. The heroine continually ruins the author's plans by attempting to exert his will over her; she refuses to love anyone other than the one she loves. The author then breaks down into madness and consults his friend, who turns out is the narrator of the story. The narrator, who is chronicling the events of the author, becomes furious at Marguerite, so he attempts to "punish" her physically; she is able to see past this and avoid being hurt. It turns out his friend and author becomes angry and threatens to murder the narrator if he attempts to harm her again.