Young Professor Garo Daigle returns to his Louisiana backwater home, after a four-year absence, hoping to make amends with his evangelical parents. His hope is quickly turned on its heels by the suspicion of murder, infidelity, and the onus of political corruption. Their reconciliation efforts are marred by pessimism, a dogma on the edge of despair, and a tragic certainty that the Creator is a threat to human existence.

Reverend Elwood and Mother Daigle annoy and twist their prodigal son's memories into wrenching confessions, youthful pangs of unconsummated passion, and imagined escapes. These acts become the nexus between the feverish past and a palpable paradise, with Julia Delacroix's fervent love as his guiding star. The succubus of torrid dreams as real and present as hunger and thirst. His longing is easily satisfied, if only his heart will surrender.

A cast of rascally characters and the sensuously beautiful Julia he left behind - who, in his absence, has borne a child christened in his name create the turmoil propelling the plot through three generations relived over a long weekend.