The novel explores the inner life and memories of a Midwestern woman named Janet, who is caught between her present life as a wife and mother and her past experiences growing up on a farm. On a fishing trip with a friend, Janet reflects on her youth, her relationships with men, and the complexities of her sexual awakening in a rural setting. The narrative weaves through time, revealing the quiet tensions and personal struggles that lie beneath the surface of her seemingly ordinary life, painting a poignant and introspective portrait of a woman's journey through the landscapes of her past and the emotional terrain of her inner world.

The 4742nd greatest book of all time