The interrelationships between three generations within the lineage of the wealthy "John Brodricks" - Copper John, his son Greyhound John, and Greyhound John's son Wild Johnnie - in the mid to late nineteenth century Ireland are presented. Their stories are centered on the copper mine Copper John develops on Hungry Hill, and the feud between the Brodricks and the townsfolk, but especially the Donovans, who, having claimed Hungry Hill as their own for centuries before the Brodricks displaced them two hundred years ago when they moved into the area, have always wanted it maintained in its pristine natural condition while Copper John sees the mine as progress in addition to increasing his own and his family's wealth. Unlike his brother Henry who ends up being the favored son because of the issue, Greyhound John has no interest in or aptitude in any aspect of the mine, which places him at odds with his father. A similar animosity develops between Copper John and Wild Johnnie, the former who has never trusted the latter - that mistrust initially unfounded - which has profoundly affected Wild Johnnie's development, he who is only waiting for his grandfather to die to inherit his fortune. Present for most of these proceedings is Fanny Rosa, Greyhound John's tempestuous wife and Wild Johnnie's mother who primarily wants to see peace exist not only within the family but in the community.
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