Super Short Summary

Penance by Kanae Minato follows the lives of five women connected by a childhood tragedy. After witnessing a friend's murder, they deal with lifelong repercussions. Their narratives unfold in five interconnected stories—"Atonement," "A Memoir in Letters," "The Bear Witness," "The Happy Ones," and "The Performer," exploring themes of guilt, responsibility, and the lasting impact of trauma.