The story is set in rural Louisiana in the 1950s and describes the antics of young boys growing up in the South where family, hard work and a belief in God are important. It is comical by nature as it describes their attempts at relieving the drudgery and boredoms that come with living. The story follows the life of the Britton family in Catahoula Parish and their interactions with neighbors and friends. The main characters of the story are Snooks Britton and his brother Lil'Ray. Trouble seems to always follow Lil'Ray but generally lands on anyone with him. There is a bear hunt disguised as a bear hunt that turns into an encounter with a wild hog. Snooks, Lil'Ray and their friends manage to burn down an illegal whiskey operation that is tied to the Louisiana Mafia. The area is rural and poor so not only do the people work to make a living; they work hard to entertain themselves. Some of these attempts backfire creating laughable situations that make for years of good yarns at social gatherings.