Set in the time of the American Civil war, this first novel evokes well the character of the American landscape.  Frazier powerfully portrays the wounded soldier Inman in his difficult journey from the war-zone back to his homeland.   He intertwines this with the experiences of Ada, struggling to keep the farm going  with her companion Ruby.  Fine characterisation, such as the old goat woman, combines with detailed descriptions to produce an evocative historical adventure with romantic plot.