The life of the swedish writer Moa Martinson: at the age of 18, Moa marries the stone worker Karl and has five children. The marriage becomes stormy and fringed with tragedies. In the adversities, Moa begins to write about her life. She tells unpleasant truths, and doesn't get much understanding. Her life changes when the books are published in ever larger editions. She can tear herself out of her poverty, but never abandons her origins. In 1929 she remarries the writer Harry Martinson.