The Book Sisters is a family saga, told in vignettes, that chronicles the lives of Vern Book, an alcoholic farmer; Valley Book, the depressed mother; and the six Book sisters – Victoria, Veronica, Violet, Vera, Virginia, and Viveca. After his horrific experiences during World War II, Vern Book wants nothing more than the peace and quiet joy that come from raising corn and a family on a farm in Iowa. Unfortunately, life ambushes them. As the world around them is torn apart by war and civil strife, as assassinations and riots erupt, as Nature ravages his fields and Valley breaks his heart, Vern watches his six daughters throw his dreams away. His solution is to drink himself to death, which he does, taking Valley with him. Once their parents are gone, the sisters are free to explore their own lives, to determine who they will become.