Although a particular period is never identified, the descriptions suggest that the story is set in the North Carolina mountains during the late 1950s or early 1960s. In many ways time moves more slowly in the mountains, and modern-day conveniences, such as electricity, refrigerators, radios, and cars, are luxuries in this setting. The Luthers' poverty is revealed by the description of their home, a "woeful," "seedy," and "downright disgraceful" shack. The mountains and land around the shack, though, are beautiful, "the fairest land of them all," and this fair land produces the wild plants that allow the children to survive. The plants have beautiful names: mayapple, witch hazel, ginseng, goldenseal, stargrass root, and queen's delight. The book's title refers to the beautiful mountain landscape, as well as to the mountain hymn, "Where the Lilies Bloom So Fair." Nature provides a livelihood for the children but it also brings...