Transplanted in the mid-1970s from their northern European home, with its dramatic seasonal variations, the Nieminen family finds itself on a lush tropical Caribbean island with, except for hurricanes, only slight changes in weather. Nieminen's husband, Jukka, is charged with managing and developing the nation's port, Castries, which exports mainly bananas and imports consumer goods. The two sons, Keke and Joppe, attend local schools where they must learn their subjects in a foreign language, English, and make new friends among the black students.

Nieminen herself tries to hold their home together while contending with pests, strange foods, primitive appliances, erratic hired help, and her growing sense of social isolation. Despite problems in acclimating, the Nieminen family gradually learns to appreciate the gleaming beaches, the warm sea, the flourishing vegetation, the volcanic mountains, and the relaxed attitude of the island's inhabitants. However, what comes to dominate the lives...