A Nearly Normal Family

Stella recalls being approached at work by two plainclothes police officers. The officers brought Stella to the station, where she met Agnes Thelin, the investigator on Christopher’s case. Stella navigated the challenging situation with a mix of apprehension and defiance.

Stella reflects on her strained relationship with her father and their shared traits of strong convictions. She recalls a childhood incident where she defended her father. As she entered adolescence, she rejected conventional academic paths in favor of a sense of freedom and self-discovery.

Stella confronts the reality of being a suspect in a criminal investigation. She struggles with disbelief and confusion as she is briefed by an attorney who appears confident yet superficial and overbearing. His assurance that the authorities have nothing substantial against her doesn’t fully convince Stella, and she questions his approach and strategy.

Stella receives a book from Shirine, her jail psychologist, which becomes a significant escape from her confinement and from introspection. The book, a feminist classic, initially seems unappealing to Stella, but she soon finds herself liking it and requests more literature.

Stella reflects on her friendship with Amina. Despite their contrasting personalities, Stella perceives a deep kinship with Amina. Stella’s impulsive behavior and Amina’s rule-abiding nature highlight their differing responses to societal expectations.

The disdainful behavior of guard Jimmy tests Stella’s impulse control. Her reactions to his behavior result in her being moved to an observation cell.

Stella reflects on her tumultuous teenage years, marked by rebellion and a strained relationship with her parents; she perceived her mother as emotionally withdrawn and her father as overbearing. She recalls the incident where she impulsively struck her best friend, Amina, a moment that still haunts her with guilt and self-reproach. Stella remembers choosing to attend confirmation camp, driven by a mix of rebellion and escape.

Stella struggles with her confinement. She is given a new book, The Catcher in the Rye, which she finds intriguing, but she remains closed off to Shirine, who perceives jail as a relatively humane institution. Stella particularly refuses to discuss her traumatic night in the observation cell. The unexpected news of her parents’ visit, arranged by her lawyer, overwhelms Stella. She adamantly refuses the visit, unable to confront her parents’ disappointment.

In a flashback to Stella’s time at confirmation camp, Stella plots to entice Robin into a compromising situation; she knows her father admires the camp director and wants to upset Adam. Her plan involves leading Robin into the woods, where she intends to be discovered by others, thereby creating a scandal. As the situation unfolds, Stella experiences a change of heart, but by the time she recognizes the danger, it is too late: Robin sexually assaults Stella. Stella’s father unexpectedly arrives, stopping Robin. Robin is frantic, but Stella thanks God her father came for her.

In the present, Stella is haunted by her memories and feeling a deep sense of loss for her family and Amina. She feels confined and desperate, and in a moment of acute distress, she reacts physically and attracts the attention of the prison guards. The intervention by the guards becomes a harrowing experience for Stella; they take her to the isolation cell and sexual assault her.

Shirine’s approachable demeanor and sympathetic nature make it hard for Stella to maintain her defensive stance. During their conversation, Shirine inquires about Stella’s thoughts on The Catcher in the Rye, which leads to a discussion about life’s complexities and choices. Shirine shares a personal anecdote about her career choice, which diverged from her family’s expectations, and reveals her struggle with germaphobia. Stella begins to trust Shirine.

The novel flashes back to Stella reluctantly joining her friend Amina for a night out. At the bar, they encounter Christopher Olsen, an older man with a charming yet suspicious air. Stella, feeling cautious, questions his background and intentions. Christopher reveals his past troubles with a stalker.

Later that evening, Stella finds herself feeling nauseated, suspecting she may have drunk too much. She encounters Christopher again, and he offers to share a taxi with her. During the ride, Christopher tries to engage Stella in conversation, but she is too focused on her discomfort. After Christopher exits at his stop, Stella realizes that she has lost her pepper spray, a tool she always carries for safety.

Christopher shares a personal story about his ex-girlfriend Linda, portraying himself as a victim of her alleged instability and aggression. Stella is sympathetic, leading her to momentarily let down her guard and attempt a kiss. Christopher rejects her advance, citing the inappropriateness of the situation.

In the present, Blomberg proposes to Stella that they present Linda Lokind as an alternative suspect in the case. Stella is disturbed by this tactic and insists on not involving Linda. Stella questions Blomberg’s belief in her innocence.

Back in the past, Stella, grappling with the aftermath of a night out, reflects with Amina on her encounter with Christopher. Despite her initial skepticism, Stella finds herself intrigued by Christopher’s attention, leading to an unexpected Facebook connection and flirtatious messaging.

In the present, Stella rejects Shirine’s offer of a book called Rape, which causes Stella to reveal what happened to her when she was 15. She explains her reluctance to adopt the victim role.

In the past, Stella approaches her job at H&M casually compared to the seriousness with which Amina approaches her responsibilities. When Stella discovers that Christopher lied about his age, she chooses to overlook this deception.

In the present, Stella’s fragile trust in Shirine is shattered during a pivotal therapy session. The conversation initially revolves around Stella’s potential career in psychology but takes a sharp turn when Shirine probes into Stella’s relationship with Christopher Olsen. This abrupt shift to personal matters makes Stella feel manipulated and betrayed, leading to an outburst of anger.