The novel begins with a detailed family tree outlining four generations of the Goodwill and Flett families. This genealogical chart places each character in relation to one another and connects them to the events of the twentieth century. The book is structured as a compilation of letters, theories, family photographs, and other documents related to Daisy Goodwill Flett's life, aiming to depict a family history. However, like genealogical research, these various pieces of information do not present a complete picture of the family's past. The genealogy and the assorted texts within the novel prompt readers to consider the transient nature of ordinary lives and the incomplete legacy they leave behind. The narrator attempts to piece together these fragmented elements to make sense of them, but a full picture remains out of reach. The effort's limitations are evident in the inconsistencies among the pieces. For example, differing theories or interpretations are juxtaposed, highlighting the multiple perspectives on the subject and how these perspectives can alter the subject itself. Similarly, inconsistencies appear among the photographs, such as two labeled as Clarentine Flett that clearly depict different women, as well as discrepancies between the photographs and their descriptions. For instance, Cuyler Goodwill is described as shorter than his first wife, Mercy, yet a photograph shows him taller. Additionally, the clothing in the Ladies Rhythm and Movement Club photograph does not match the descriptions given in the text.