Content Warning: The source material for this study guide depicts or references self-harm, death by suicide, domestic violence and spousal abuse, drug use and addiction, and child death. Some readers may also be distressed by gory descriptions in the text, as well as offensive language for provincial people.

Jamie Morton begins his narration by describing Charles Jacobs as his “fifth business, [his] change agent, [his] nemesis” (2). Jamie fears that Jacobs’s recurring presence in his life points to the existence of fate and, by implication, an omnipotent force directing it.

The story proper begins in Harlow, Maine, in 1962 when six-year-old Jamie first meets Charles Jacobs while playing with his toy army. The army was a birthday gift from Jamie’s sister, Claire. Jamie cherishes the toy army and is hesitant to share it with anyone, including his best friends. Jacobs introduces himself to Jamie as the town’s new minister. Jamie explains the scenario he has imagined with his toy army, and Jacobs suggests splitting his toy soldiers into a pincer movement to capture the dirt mound Jamie has built. Jamie takes his suggestion and is thrilled by the result. Jacobs goes to meet the rest of the Morton family.