The Old Man is the ruler of his domain with no questions. He carved out a farm in this colonial country and it is now a fishing destination and tourists come there. Tom has always lived there. He is very introverted and never sure if his father actually loves him although it's always been understood that Tom will inherit everything one day.
But things change. The first change is the girl. She is the relative of neighbors, sent out to try to salvage her reputation. The two families want a marriage between Tom and the girl but it's not to be. She does move in but discards Tom in favor of the Old Man.
The biggest change is the revolution. The natives are taking back their country and those who came later are about to lose their grip. The government breaks up big estates and gives ten acres to any native who wants it. But that isn't the end. A rebel faction is fighting against both the colonials and the government. Will the revolution get as far as the farm?
Katie Kitamura is an American novelist whose works I've been reading lately. This was an early novel and is grim reading. It explores family dynamics and even more, sets up the Old Man to be seen as the tyrant he is, both in his family life and in his business dealings. It also explores the entire concept of imperialism and its effects. This book is recommended for readers of literary fiction.