The Barnes' family has had a rough time the past few years. After a couple of tragedies and some misfortune, the family decides to give up farming. Though the land around them is no longer theirs to cultivate, they still reside in the farmhouse. It is another reminder of what they gave up. Will they find their place in this unknown territory? Will they be able to adjust to their new way of life?

Rita Barnes is the family matriarch, who has lost her husband and one of her sons. She now lives in a small house in town. She tries to be useful by taking care of the elderly people around her. Has she failed her family? Her son, Mack Barnes, suffers with depression. He has recently been in a psychiatric hospital, and is now trying to come to terms with his illness. He is trying to take control of the situation, and still be useful to his family. Will he ever find his place? Jodie Barnes is not sure how to cope with her husband's illness. While Mack was in the hospital, she had to be strong to keep the family together. Now that he is home, she no longer knows what to do. She feels more alone and abandoned than ever. She begins to look outside her marriage for a sense of belonging. Will she find what she is looking for?

Along with their parents, Kenzie and Taylor are also affected by this change in the household. Kenzie seeks solace in the church. She prays continuously and writes in a journal. She eventually befriends a man who leads her into a more fanatic aspect of Christianity. Where is God trying to lead her? Completely opposite of his sister, Taylor immerses himself with the Goth crowd. He starts to wear make-up and all black clothing. He has a couple of skirmishes with the law that garners him the attention of his father. Will he find the answers that he is seeking?

Vinita Hampton Wright has written an unforgettable tale of family strife. The novel is told by the different family members viewpoints, and these viewpoints provide a powerful tool to understanding the struggles of each person as they adapt to the loss of their farm and their whole lifestyle. The characters are real enough to be any family; and, therefore easy to identify with. DWELLING PLACES not only deals with the loss of a lifestyle, but also tackles the illness of depression. Ms. Wright certainly captures the pain and heartache caused by a loved one who has a mental illness. DWELLING PLACES is an excellent novel that portrays an amazing emotional journey of a family trying to come to terms with what life has thrown at them.