This trilogy interweaves the personal joys and sorrows of Chris Guthrie. "Sunset song", the first book of the trilogy covers the early years of the twentieth century, up to and beyond the First World War. Chris survives, with her son, Ewan, but tragedy has struck and her wild spirit has been subdued. In "Cloud Howe", as the minister's wife, Chris learns to love again, and we witness the cruel gossip and high comedy of village life until, once again, she suffers a terrible loss. "Grey Granite" focuses on Ewan and his passionate involvement with justice for the common man, but for Chris, with her intuitive strength, nothing lasts - only the land endures.