'Small Souls', the debut novel of the renowned Dutch author Louis Couperus, sets the stage for the epic tetralogy, The Books of the Small Souls. This series delves into the dark and tumultuous world of the once-mighty Van Lowe clan as they spiral into a state of ruin and decay. In this opening novel, readers are taken on a journey as Constance van der Welcke, the prodigal daughter, returns to her family after defying their wishes and eloping. She is determined to reclaim her rightful place within the hierarchy of the family, but little does she know the challenges and heartache that lie ahead.