In July 1983, Sophie, a ten-year-old girl who lives in a London orphanage, stays awake reading through the nights due to her insomnia. At three in the morning, or what she calls the "witching hour", she sees an elderly giant outside of her window. The giant captures her and takes her into Giant Country. There, he explains that Sophie must stay with him for the rest of her life because she saw him, and must not be allowed to reveal the existence of giants. He also explains that she will put herself at risk if she goes out in the open, as nine other giants inhabit Giant Country, all of whom are man-eaters and favor the taste of children.