The work tells a romantic story set in a small inland village in Ireland during the summer. A young woman from the poorhouse, Ellie, is married for convenience to a widowed farmer; she falls in love with a young man, Florian, who arrives in the village after inheriting a mansion that he plans to sell in order to pay off his debts and leave for another country. While he looks for a buyer, he becomes involved in a romantic relationship with Ellie and, although for him it is more a matter of compassion and friendship, for Ellie it is an intense attraction.
The work is a sentimental and social chronicle that reflects human loyalty as well as the beauty of the Irish landscape. It also portrays the peculiarities of the character and way of life of the peasants who live in that environment, along with hidden problems, whether due to convenience or emotional coldness, all conveyed through an elegant and precise prose. It recounts an abortion that ends up breaking the family apart. It is a reading that can be pleasant and entertaining, with well-developed characters.
William Trevor (1928–2016) was an Irish writer. From a Protestant family, he was raised and educated in rural Ireland. From 1954 onwards he lived in England. He worked as a sculptor until 1960 and later became an outstanding novelist. He received numerous awards.