Through richly detailed reveries into the past, the reader is introduced to the anti-hero of the story, Daniel Beasy. As Daniel explores both his surroundings and his memories, he walks in the shadows of his life. His obsession with a charming woman, his battlefield injuries, and a series of gripping tragedies lead Daniel to escape from his home in search of clarity. The enigmatic characters that affect his life push him toward an apocalyptic climax that is both memorable and morose.