In seven chapters the author discusses the central movements of Naomi's experiences involved in returning to her homeland with the assistance of Ruth, God's gift to Naomi. Naomi's return home is necessitated because of three significant family losses--deaths of her husband, Elimelech, and both her children, Chilion and Mahlon. More than just her physical return, insight is given into Naomi's psychological transition from states of pleasantness to states of bitterness as well as the move from bitterness back to pleasantness. Further, Naomi's bitterness is presented as an expression of her self-perception which was affected by her perception of God. In the concluding chapter, the author presents that normal life events and experiences affect most people at some time but that depending on the person's response these events and experiences will lead to adaptive or maladaptive behavioral and mental paths.