Who is Father Tim? In what church does he practice? Why is he married? Are all priest allowed to marry? How long has Father Tim been married? Is this his first marriage? How old is Father Tim? How does this impact his marriage? How does this impact the way he looks at the world, at his congregation? How do the townspeople feel about Father Tim? How does he feel about them?

Who is Pauline Barlowe? Why are three of her children missing at the beginning of the novel? Why does her son, Dooley, live with Father Tim? How did Pauline get burned? What disease is Pauline battling? How does Pauline meet Buck Leeper? How does Buck affect Pauline's attempts to clean up her life? How does Buck's actions affect his relationship with Pauline? With Father Tim? With his own struggle? Will Buck change for...