Set in rural Maine in the first half of this century, this is the story of Homer Wells, an orphan who is raised and mentored by Wilbur Larch, the doctor at the orphanage. Larchs capacity for kindness is saintly, but he is also an ether addict. When he and Homer come into conflict, Homer leaves the only family he has ever known. Homers new life provides more excitement than he could have imagined, especially when he falls in love for the first time. But, when forced to make decisions that will change the course of his future, Homer finally realizes that he cant escape his past.