Ann, the child of Adele's first marriage to an Egyptian man who deserted the family, is separated from her beloved grandmother Lillian who remained in Wisconsin, and must now cope on her own with her mother's moods, whims, fantasies, and occasional neglect and abuse.

Narcissistic Adele is chronically dissatisfied with her life, lives above her means, overspends on clothing and status goods, and treats Ann as an extension of herself, rather than as a person in her own right.

The two engage in various schemes to stay in Beverly Hills and fit in, including skipping out on rent and stealing fashionable clothing.

After a failed affair with a wealthy dentist, Adele shows signs of mental disturbance; she fantasizes that her psychiatrist is in love with her, and begins to physically abuse the now-teenage Ann.

Ann finally gets a role in a TV series, which enables her to escape her mother and attend an East Coast university.