Im Hochsicherheitstrakt des Staatsgefängnisses von Mississippi wartet Sam Cayhall auf die Hinrichtung. Er ist wegen eines tödlichen Bombenanschlags verurteilt. Seine Lage ist hoffnunglos. Nur der Anwalt Adam Hall kann ihm noch eine Chance bieten. Es geht um Tage, Stunden, Minuten.
Set in a post-apocalyptic future after a global nuclear war, the story follows David, a young boy in a community of religious and genetic fundamentalists. This society is vigilant against any deviations from what they consider God's creation, labeling them as 'offenses' or 'blasphemies.' Offenses include unusual plants and animals, which are publicly destroyed amid hymns, while blasphemies refer to humans with any abnormal traits, who are exiled to the wild. David grows up under strict admonitions to maintain purity and watch for mutants. Initially, he accepts these beliefs without question, though he is disturbed when his devout parents force his aunt to abandon her baby. Over time, he discovers that he himself possesses a unique ability, placing him at risk of death or opening the door to a new world of freedom. This narrative serves as a philosophical exploration, resonating with contemporary issues of genetic and religious extremism, and remains relevant since its creation during the Cold War. The work is a classic of science fiction, intricately designed and thought-provoking.