In the familiar setting of “at home,” characters in the five towns cultivate hopes and desires within the limits of provincial life. In these industrialised surroundings, individuals sense social walls and seek to find their place in the world. Youth, middle-age, and old age intersect in relationships coloured by love, betrayal, and disappointment. What seems like a trivial everyday incident becomes a turning point in life, and characters realise they stand before the consequences of their choices. With humour and compassion, the author portrays the aspirations and frustrations of ordinary townsfolk in a calm yet sharp manner.
