Set across three centuries, the collection explores how love and loss intertwine through time, featuring twelve interconnected stories that reveal mysteries and emotional ties among characters and families. The title story follows two men collecting folk songs in Maine during World War I, while later tales unveil the impact of their summer on future generations. Shattuck's vivid narratives transport readers through New England's landscapes, blending history with modernity, and offering a poignant reflection on memory and the quest for belonging.
