Ambitious Michael Boyer secures social and material status by marrying Helen Banaduk, daughter of an affluent farmer. Their courtship results in Helen’s pregnancy. Michael is subjected to crude teasing which he perceives as disrespect from the community. Convinced of his own intellectual superiority, he blames Helen and the baby (Kaydee) for this loss of respect. As the novelty of his material acquisition wears off and his discontent grows, he subjects both Helen and Kaydee to unrelenting verbal and emotional abuse. He exploits Helen’s submissive nature and harnesses her to a life of hard labour, resulting in two miscarriages. This costs him further scorn from his neighbours, until his ego can take the ridicule no more. His irrational fury triggers a tragic accident and, as he recuperates in a distant hospital, he plots revenge on a family that he feels caused his distress and then betrayed him. This poignant story relates perspectives from three generations about abuse at the hands of this cruel man.
