Summary

The novel takes place in an unspecified location, in an unspecified year. The protagonist, Ada, lives in a semi-remote area, in the wilderness near a rural village. Ada opens the novel with a brief description of some of the nature around her home. She finds most of the nature beautiful, but sometimes she finds it strange and repulsive, such as slugs. Ada lives with her father—referred to only as Father. They resemble humans, but neither of them are quite human; they are born of nature itself. They live separate from human society, and they have supernatural abilities that help them to heal humans. Most nights, Father is overtaken by animal instincts, and he hunts wild deer in the woods. Ada and Father refer to humans as Cures. Cures come to Ada and Father whenever they are ill. Ada and Father use their powers...