The tale unfolds around Gudule, a spirited young woman navigating the trials of life after the mysterious death of her father, a riverboat captain. Gudule is left to fend for herself, adopting a nomadic lifestyle along the river, with her faithful dog as her only companion. Her resilience is tested as she confronts the cruelty of fate while drifting through the rural landscapes of France. She gains employment with a local miller, but jealousy and suspicion from his family force Gudule into an unjustly precarious situation. Isolated yet determined, she turns to the natural world and her instincts to survive outside societal norms and find solace amidst adversity.

As Gudule encounters a cast of intriguing and sometimes sinister characters who traverse her path, themes of betrayal, trust, and redemption emerge. A chance meeting with Pierre, a sympathetic young man, marks a turning point in Gudule's journey. His kindness offers a glimmer of hope, sparking camaraderie and compassion in her turbulent life. However, circumstances take unexpected turns, intensifying the looming shadows of deceit and revenge that threaten to overshadow their fragile alliance. Through relentless hardship and the ebb and flow of human connection, Gudule's resolve is continually tested as she strives to transcend the whirlpool of misfortune that engulfs her existence. As events build towards a dramatic crescendo, her fate remains uncertain, leaving her perseverance as her guiding light through an unforgiving world.