Covering three generations, this novel unveils the unglamorous lives of those who made Silicon Valley possible. An engineer and native of San Jose, Peter meets Bob in a coffee shop, mentors him, and tells Bob stories about the time when Silicon Valley was filled with orchards, about his friends' technical work, and his own ideas. Peter feels that Silicon Valley has lost its soul.
Many years ago, picking apricots in the orchards, Peter met Sonia. They fell in love, married and had a child, Juana. Of Mexican descent, Sonia ushers into the story the economic, social and personal concerns faced by many Mexican families in Silicon Valley.
As a grassroots organizer and feminist, Juana promotes a caring, well-knit community within a homegrown economy, using technology wisely. When her partner Gloria dies, Juana adopts Gloria's son, Martin. Loved by his extended family, rooted in the community, resourceful and tech-savvy, Martin shoulders the burden of steering Silicon Valley into the future.