Woman on the Cross is a novel that takes place near the end of the 18th century in a deforested Latin American country where the pre-Christian nature religion has been suppressed. The story tells of Sebastian Cristo Rey, the last actor in a family line of professional Christs who have made their living being crucified on Good Fridays, and what happens when Sidelle, daughter of the priestess who maintains the pre-Christian tradition of tree worship, is nailed to Sebastian's cross.