Part 1, Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Summary

The novel begins with a full chapter devoted to the description of the heritage and geography of the Salinas Valley in California, the setting for the story. The author is the narrator of the story and the grandson of the first main character, Samuel Hamilton, introduced to the reader. Samuel is an Irishman who had brought his young wife, Liza, to live near King City in the Salinas Valley.

Samuel's farm is in one of the driest areas with the poorest soil because all the other good land had already been claimed. Samuel supports his family by working as a blacksmith and woodworker, and although he has no talent for making money, Samuel becomes well-loved in the area for his integrity and kindness.

In contrast to the Hamiltons' life of struggle, another settler in the area, a wealthy man...