The novel takes place in a small lumber town called Wakonda, where the Stampfer family lives—people who took over the lumber-mill business from an entire city, leaving everyone else with nothing.
Here unfolds a love drama, a confrontation of close people, a struggle for the right to conduct business affairs, and all kinds of conflicts among townspeople.
“The town’s population in the novel is represented by very diverse personalities—from proud, forceful, and brave to cowardly, foolish, and cunning. And each of them will play their part…
Based on the novel, in 1971 a film of the same name was made with Paul Newman and Henry Fonda. The picture was nominated for an Oscar twice: for Best Supporting Actor (Richard Jaeckel) and for Best Song written for the film.