Harry Morgan, a fishing boat captain in Key West, finds himself forced into illegal smuggling operations to support his family during the Great Depression. Driven by economic desperation and a fierce sense of individual survival, Morgan navigates the treacherous waters between Florida and Cuba. He faces opposition from corrupt officials, ruthless criminals, and the unforgiving physical environment of the sea. The narrative employs a fragmented, multi-perspective structure that shifts between Morgan’s direct experience and the observations of those surrounding him, highlighting the moral decay of the era.

Readers and critics often analyze this work as a departure from the author's earlier, more cohesive novels due to its disjointed structure. Discussion frequently centers on the moral ambiguity of Harry Morgan and whether he represents a tragic hero or a victim of his environment. Many highlight the stark, unadorned prose as a defining feature that mirrors the harsh realities of the characters' lives. The shift in narrative perspective is a common point of debate, with some viewing it as a stylistic experiment and others as a disruption to the story's flow. Overall, the book is recognized for its gritty portrayal of the Depression-era underworld and its focus on the limits of human endurance.