This coming of age novel takes place from 1970 – 1991.  It can be described as a love triangle tragedy. It follows the exploits of Harlon Winer, who is the protagonist and narrator of the story as he searches for love as well as the meaning of life. The other main characters are his first girlfriend, Holly Pierce, who is the femme fatale of the story; Rob Gold, who is Harlon’s Harvard Law School as well as romantic rival;Charlie Rivers who is dying from the AIDS virus; Amanda Grant, who was once the girlfriend of Charlie Rivers, who ultimately finds a meaningful relationship with Harlon Winer as the novel reaches its conclusion.