At the center of the tale is Silvio, who in his younger years fled the boredom of the village for travel and adventure. He now returns to live in a farmer's hovel in the middle of the woods. Much to his family's dismay, Silvio is content with his solitude. But when he attends the wedding of his favorite young cousin, Silvio begins to be drawn back into the complicated life of this small town. As the narration unfolds, we are given an intimate picture...

A young woman who has just been released from prison after serving five years for manslaughter takes a job in the only restaurant in a small Maine town and works to gain the trust of the townspeople.