A young man attempts to establish a viable life as a farmer in the West Suffolk countryside during the interwar period, facing the harsh economic realities of the agricultural depression. Adrian Bell serves as the protagonist and narrator, documenting his transition from a journalist to a rural laborer. He encounters significant opposition from the unforgiving land, fluctuating market prices, and the physical exhaustion inherent in traditional farming. The narrative framework follows a semi-autobiographical structure, blending personal reflection with a detailed account of the seasonal rhythms of farm life. The story is constrained by the economic volatility of the era, which constantly threatens the stability of his chosen profession.

Readers and critics frequently note the stylistic clarity and observational precision present in Bell's prose. Discussion often centers on the stark contrast between the author's youthful idealism and the grim economic conditions of the farming industry during the 1920s and 1930s. Many highlight the effectiveness of the book in capturing a vanishing way of life through grounded, unadorned storytelling. The work is often praised for its ability to balance technical agricultural detail with a broader reflection on the human condition. It remains a significant record of a specific period in British rural history.