The novel centers around the lives of two sisters, Mary and Rhoda Barfoot, and their friend, Monica Madden, all of whom are "odd women", or women who are not married or do not have children. The novel delves into the various ways in which these women navigate the social and economic limitations placed on them by society. The novel also touches on the theme of women's rights, as the characters advocate for the rights and autonomy of women, challenging the traditional gender roles of Victorian society.