A man named Seligman discovers a wounded woman, Joe, in an alley and takes her in. As Joe recovers, she recounts her extensive history of sexual encounters with hundreds of men, dating back to her teenage years. Meanwhile, Seligman shares his own interests, including fly fishing, reading about mathematics, and listening to organ music.

Nymphomaniac: Vol. I
The protagonist shares her harrowing life story with her savior, exposing a intricate tapestry of events that have defined her.