The youngest daughter of a Cornish vicar, Maria Legassick, tells of life with her brilliant, gifted brother Roger whom she loved too well; and her sisters, Louisa, whom she could never love but nonetheless admired, and Bella whom she despised. Living in a vicarage overlooking the sea in Cornwall, Maria is the observer who tells of the dour father writing ecclesiastical books which were never read; the passionate Louisa, impatient to break free and change the world; Roger aspiring to an academic career; indolent Bella, demanding little from life; and the outspoken, rustic sexton, Thomas May. The book comes full circle from the apparently unchanging world, moving into modern times, and ends with Maria where she began, with only her memories remaining.