Toni Morrison's eighth novel centers on the Cosey family. Bill Cosey rose from poverty to become the millionaire owner of a prosperous resort. His son, Billy Boy, and Billy's daughter, Christine, have opposing views about the place. As years go by, Cosey's wealthy widow, Heed, struggles to keep the upper hand, and Billy's widow, May, becomes desperately afraid that what she has will be taken from her. Watching it all, as the generations succeed each other and the patriarchal influence of Bill Cosey continues to keep a hold on each family member, is his chef, a man known as L., who comments on the action. A New York Times Notable Book for 2003.