Based on a true story: Mark begins his life in Eden, a remote North Auckland settlement. The story takes us through his boyhood, wending its way through much that life has in store for him. He samples forward offerings early in his life, all these experiences becoming embedded in his character tempering it, changing it, a little at a time. Hardship, hunger and poverty bring disaster to those not able to adapt so he develops great resilience and an animal-like awareness which helps him quickly understand the directions he must take to win or regain advantage. He and his Eden peers are fiercely defensive; survival becomes an art form. Exposure to sex, drinking and violence in his tender years teaches him to constantly adjust his view of life as he steps cagily through it. He reaches out for his right to life and its rewards and pursues it with unashamed commitment as he develops survival strategies with no apology for selfish gain.