Iaiá Garcia tells the story of the romance between Iaiá Garcia, 11-year-old daughter of, Luís Garcia, a public servant and widower who dotes on his daughter, and Jorge Gomes, son of a friend of Iaiá's father, the widow Valéria Gomes. But Jorge is in love with the daughter of his late father's servant, Estela, who lives in the family's house. To keep Jorge away from Estela, Valéria sends him to fight in the war against Paraguay. And when he returns he is shocked to find that Estela has married Iaiá's father, Luís! The story evolves over time, ending with the death of Luís Garcia and Jorge's marriage to Iaiá.