It begins simply enough, at the scene of a hideous crime in the Mission District in 1993 San Francisco, but the story quickly spins out into various levels, calling attention to political-working-class themes and racial boundaries by exploring the depths of its diverse cast of characters.

At the scene of a crime in 1993 San Francisco, the victim, Bambino Reyes, has been brutally slashed open and the wound cauterized.

Zeferino is a defense lawyer in San Francisco, who has been specially requested to represent the man charged with the bizarre, ritualistic "murder."

Upon meeting the accused and hearing his childhood name, Zefe, Zeferino recalls his past with immigrant farmworkers, a process that continues throughout the novel.

While at "French Camp," an asparagus farm near Stockton, California, Faustino, Ted For Short, and Zeferino are assaulted, and Pietro Ditto, one of the "big bosses", is killed.

On their way to Camp Corregidor, Ted prays for Zefe to forget all that he's seen this night that he will not have to be haunted by the memories of murder and hate.

The narrative turns to Bambino, the illegitimate son of Pietro Ditto, as he arrives in San Francisco - bitter, hateful, and seeking retribution.

King Pete, Anatoly, Miguel, and others take part in the climactic scene as Bambino and Ted face off in a final confrontation.

He spent his youth tracking down his father from his hometown of Baguio, Philippines to "French Camp" near Stockton, California, only to discover that Pietro Ditto had been “murdered” by Faustino and Teodoro.

[1] Véa dedicates Silver Cloud to immigrant farmers calling them the, "gentle protectors and messengers of my brown youth".