Margaret Laurence

Hagar Shipley, age 90, tells the story of her life, and in so doing tries to come to terms with how the very qualities which sustained her have deprived her of joy. Mingling past and present, she maintains pride in the face of senility, while recalling the life she led as a rebellious young bride, and later as a grieving mother.

Rachel Cameron is a 35-year old school teacher living in New England. Her life is small and safe. She has no man in her life and lives with her mother. She wants to do anything to keep from slipping into spinsterhood. When a man from the big city returns and asks her out, she has to make decisions about her life and where she wants it to go.