Philip, a newcomer to New York's downtown gay life, falls in love with Eliot--his first serious gay relationship after years of being closeted. Philip realizes the time has come to break it to his parents that he is gay, but they are facing their own crises. Philip's father, Owen, has a secret life that is threatening to explode. Owen and his wife, Rose, are threatened with the loss of the apartment they have lived in for 21 years. And Rose herself is tormented by the emerging truths about not only her son but her husband. David Leavitt's acclaimed first novel is about what people see and--mostly--what they choose not to see just beneath the surfaces of their lives. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.