Five years after the end of the Second World War, America is entering a new era of peace, prosperity and progress. Despite the bad news from the Far East, where war is still raging, and the so-called 'Red Threat' from Communism, life in America is good. Laurie Evans, a young teacher with high ideals, chooses to settle in a small town in upstate New York, where she hopes to build a new life for herself as a single woman with a career. Back from Europe where she served with the Women's Army Corps, Laurie is determined that she won't be trapped by marriage and motherhood. But she has reckoned without the stifling constraints, narrow-mindedness and parochialism of small-town life. It soon becomes apparent that Bentonville, NY may not be the haven of peace and friendliness that she had so hoped it would be - especially as she finds herself increasingly drawn to her fellow teacher and neighbour, the attractive Neil Winston...