Ryhope Wood lies outside Oak Lodge, the Huxley home. Steven, recovering in France post WW2, delays going home, estranged from his father and brother. His father's death and brother's marriage finally pull him home. The Wood is primal forest, and something more. It is a source of mythagos, mythic images from various periods in time. George Huxley was totally consumed by the Wood, and it cost him everything. Christian's wife actually was a mythago, but she's killed. He goes in search of her in the wood, but he's changed. She actually does return, in a different form, to Steven. Christian abducts her and Steven chases them into the wood to bring her back. Time passes differently in the wood, which is bigger within. Christian is killed and Guiwenneth lost, but Steven is left with hope of her return.