1920. Jean Rezeau and his elder brother are living happily at "La Belle Angerie", the family estate in Brittany. Their grandmother's death brings their parents back from Indochina and spells the end of their childhood… Their mother, Paule Rezeau, a worthy descendant of fairy-tale witches, takes over control of "La Belle Angerie". Her husband makes little protest. He is more interested in collecting insects than bringing up his children. The boys endure endless bullying, punishments and petty privations "for their own good" until finally Jean chooses to rebel. He rallies his brothers against this mother, who does not know how to love them and fills the household with an atmosphere of comical but vicious civil war. Jean stands firm to the end. Hate makes him grow, as love does for others.