The Fitzerald family faces the imminent loss of their ancestral estate, Castle Richmond, amidst the catastrophic backdrop of the Irish Potato Famine. The narrative follows the family's struggle to maintain their social standing and property rights while the surrounding rural community collapses under the weight of starvation and economic ruin. Trollope employs a third-person omniscient perspective to navigate the complex social hierarchies of mid-nineteenth-century Ireland. The protagonist must reconcile personal ambition and family loyalty with the harsh, unforgiving realities of a society undergoing a profound humanitarian crisis.

Readers and critics often note that this work serves as a significant historical document of Trollope's personal observations during his time in Ireland. Discussion frequently centers on the contrast between the domestic concerns of the Fitzerald family and the immense suffering occurring in the wider landscape. Many commentators highlight the author's attempt to balance romantic plot elements with the grim, factual realities of the famine years. The pacing is often described as deliberate, reflecting the slow decay of the social order during this period. Readers appreciate the atmospheric depth provided by the author's direct experience with the region's geography and social tensions.