The story takes place in and around the city of New Orleans. It has a heartbreaking beginning; a young child is snatched away from her family and given to a teenage boy as a gift. She lives under slave like conditions. When she becomes a teenager she is brutally beaten then forced out into a world she has no concept of. She finds a secluded little house in the woods, where she gives birth to her daughter, Lillian, when the baby starts talking; she names her mother, Mema. After living there for over four years, Mema becomes fearful that someone would steal her baby and use her, as a gift, so she moves to the city of New Orleans. Mema's earlier suffering brought about many types of mental issues, and unfortunately her daughter had to endure her mother's erratic behavior. Because of her appearance Lillian had issues of her own. Lillian makes it through puberty and meets the man of her dreams. She finds herself showing some of Mema's mental behavior toward the people she loves. With the help of time, and an old friend, she finally faces her demons, forcing the mental anguish out of her family's future, giving them the opportunity to do great things.