The story is told in three parts by the main character, Michael Berg. Each part takes place in a different time period in the past, beginning in a West German city in 1958. After 15-year-old Michael becomes ill on his way home, 36-year-old tram conductor Hanna Schmitz notices him, cleans him up, and sees him safely home. He returns eagerly to her apartment on a regular basis, and they begin a heated affair. The memory of her taints all his other relationships with women.  Later, while attending law school, Michael is part of a group of students observing Holocaust war crimes trial. Michael is stunned to see that Hanna is one of the defendants.