This story is narrated by Tom, a twin to sister Savannah, who is being treated by a psychiatrist for a second suicide attempt. Savannah is in a severe dissociatative state, having suffered auditory and visual halluciations. As she is unable to communicate with her psychiatrist, Tom reluctantly begins to go back in time with his sister's psychiatrist to their childhood in the South, to uncover the traumas, beliefs and behaviours that have affected them both.

The author conjurs up incredible imagery. I read this book almost twenty years ago and still recall scenes both beautiful and terrifying.

I enjoyed the movie, but it was very different from the book, and has to be enjoyed based on its own merits. I thought Nick Nolte was wonderful as the emotionally stunted Tom. Streisand was good also as the psych. It is the book however that has the true power. Not for the faint of heart.