Julie Harmon is an unusual woman. She works hard-"hard as a man" people say-so hard that at times she's not sure she can stop. People depend on her. They're weak and there's so much to do; they need her to slaughter the hogs and nurse the sick. Julie is just a teenager when her little brother dies in her arms. That same year she marries Hank and moves down to Gap Creek, where fire and visions visit themselves upon her, and where con men and drunks come calling.