Shadows on the Rock consists of four parts and an epilogue.
The Apothecary. The chapter is set in Quebec in the year 1697. Euclide Auclair is sitting on the shore watching cargo ships making their way to the dock. After some time, he joins his daughter, Cecile for dinner. Cecile takes care of their home after her mother died, which is why they moved from France. After Euclide’s wife died, father Count de Frontenac asked them to join him when he moved to Quebec. Cecile invites Blinker for dinner. Blinker is a disabled man who runs small errands for the family.
Cecile and Jacques. This chapter begins with Cecile going to the market on market day. After picking up some groceries, she goes to church to pray. There she meets Jacques, his mother was cast out of the church for unknown reasons. Jacques lives a poor life and has trouble remembering particular events of his life. Cecile goes to Frontenac and asks for some shoes to donate to Jacques. The father is pleased with her generosity and asks her to take a bowl of glass fruit she had been eyeing for a while. Jacques and Cecile make their way to the cobbler to get shoes for him.
The Long Winter. The chapter takes place months after Christmas. Bishop Saint-Vallier makes his way to Euclide’s shop. Euclide does not like the young Bishop-he considers because he misuses the church’s resources to fund his extravagant lifestyle. The chapter also dives into a brief history of Blinker; he was once the King’s torturer and later escaped to try to begin a new life in Quebec. The King had forced him into his occupation and now he is traumatized by his acts as the torturer.
Pierre Charron. A fur trade makes his way to Euclide’s house. He is a good friend of the family, plus he likes Cecile, the feeling is mutual. The fur trader tells Euclide and Cecile stories of his travels and later leaves with Cecile to meet up with some friends.
The Ships of France. The vignette opens up with Cecile and Jacques waiting at the dock. Cecile receives two packages from her aunts in France. Each contains beautiful clothes and jewelry. Cecile remembers her plans to move back to France and feels guilty for leaving Jacques.
The Dying Count. Frontenac has canceled his plans to go back to France after falling ill. However, he asks Euclide and asks him if he still wants to go back. Euclide decides to stay in Quebec. Frontenac’s illness takes a toll on him and before he dies, he asks Euclide to take his bowl of glass fruit to Cecile. Cecile receives his gift and shortly after the father dies.
The book’s epilogue takes place fifteen years later. Cecile is married to the fur trader and the couple lives happily with their four young boys.
