Jack Kindler is dying of a glioblastoma, but found he can get radical medical treatment in France. He moves to France for treatment, meets the old bookshop proprietor, Marcel, and they develop an close friendship. When Marcel points out "the greatest tragedy is to be dying and realize you never lived" Jack has to find something to make his death worthwhile. Then he meets Tatiana Ryce. Both try to keep their distance in the relationship but when he hears her story, he resolves to collect a debt, brought on by her ex-husband's blind ambition as a diplomat for the US State Department.