Spanning over three centuries, "Barkskins" unfolds an epic saga that begins with two Frenchmen, Rene Sel and Charles Duquet, arriving in New France in the late 17th century as penniless laborers bound to serve a seigneur. Their fates diverge as Rene endures hardship and marries a Mi'kmaw woman, sinking roots deep into the land and his new family's culture. Meanwhile, Duquet escapes servitude, pursues wealth as a fur trader, and establishes a timber empire. As their descendants navigate the brutal torrents of history, industry, and conquest, they grapple with the relentless exploitation of the forests, ultimately facing an uncertain future and the possible collapse of the natural world they've so profoundly impacted. Proulx weaves a story of human greed, resilience, and the complex relationships between cultures, generations, and the environment—a harrowing yet hopeful journey that examines humanity's role in the shaping and destruction of our world.