The novel is an epic historical fiction that spans over 300 years, from the late seventeenth century to the present day. It follows the descendants of two penniless Frenchmen who arrive in New France (North America) to work as woodcutters, or “barkskins”. The story explores themes of environmental change, the history of the North American forests, cultural clashes between European settlers and Indigenous peoples, and the long-term consequences of resource exploitation.