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.