1934,America.TheDustbowl.AfugitivenamedBenHawkinsfindsrefugewithinatravelingcarnivalcomprisedofatarotcardreaderandhercatatonic/telekineticmother,ablindmentalist,abeardedlady,andconjoinedtwins,amongstothers.ThecarnivalisownedbythemysteriousandunseenManagement,whohasdesignsontheyoungHawkins,fortheboyisconcealinganuntappedgift:hecanhealthelameandraisethedead--ataprice.Benalsofindshimselfdisturbedbycrypticandpropheticdreams,whichheshareswithaMethodistpreacherinCalifornia,BrotherJustinCrowe.BrotherJustin,convincedbyhisdreamsheisfollowingGod'swill,hasbeguntopracticehisownextraordinarytalents,althoughthepreacher'splansincreasinglyleadtodisturbingandtragicconsequences.Inthis"lastgreatageofmagic,"BenHawkinsandJustinCrowearemovingtowardagreatconflictbetweenGoodandEvil,althoughitnotyetclearonwhichsidesthesemenwillstand.