Set in Poverty Bay, New Zealand, in 1976 The End of Love is the story of Father Jim Wilson, a Catholic priest and his friend, struggling writer Milton Harper. Both men are oppressed and enchanted by the world that they live in. Both seek to escape its tedium; Father Wilson in duty, tobacco and alcohol and Milton in writing, weight lifting and running.
Their lives are complicated by the women with whom they are involved. Milton's wife, Liz, is dis-satisfied with her husband's sexual neglect and his manic austerity. Jim Wilson, who has been scrupulous in regard to his vow of chastity, is introduced by Milton to Melissa Gibson, eight months pregnant and the daughter of a wealthy back country farmer. To Father Wilson's surprise and dismay, he is strongly attracted to Melissa. Milton meanwhile finds himself increasingly drawn to Lillie Foster a young bohemian who lives in his neighbourhood and whom he passes in the street from time to time.
Will the two men be saved by the women in their life? Will Melissa, Lillie and Liz find satisfaction in their complicated but intense relationships and will all of them finally come to an understanding of The End of Love?