The men of the Foley family have always been proud and fearless, fashioned by the harsh, cold elements of their country, and by years of fighting tooth and nail for survival. Their story begins in Ireland, in the difficult years of the mid-nineteenth century.

The family have lost their home and suffered another loss which proves even more vital - beautiful Emer Fole, wife of Francis, mother to Tomas, Finbar, Finan and the youngest boy, Teige. With nothing to told them they move on, setting out across Ireland to its western short, searching for the untenanted land that is to be their next Eden. But Francis Foley is a bitter man, and his flinty sould can only bring destruction. Inevitably the five Foleys are scattered, each to his own road and his own future.

In the novel, the author leads the reader along on their great journeys, through the bittersweet heart of rural Ireland and far beyond its shores to Europe, America and Africa. He guides his characters through fire and water, earth and sky, magic and reality, loss and consolation, until finally they come to terms with their own freedom and dreams.

Niall Williams previous novels, Four Letters of Love and As It Is In Heaven, were published to wide critical acclaim and became international bestsellers.