The novel is a series of parallel narratives detailing the lives and work of a group of redacted characters named Tim Hazard, Lawrence Black, Mary Turner, Rachel Wells, Marjory Hale, "Walt", (the narrator) and assorted other side-characters.

The vast majority of the book's elements are introduced by way of the primary character, Tim Hazard, and it is with him that the human narrative of the story begins.

Clark's fondness for the surroundings is not surprising—he grew up in Reno, son of a University of Nevada president.

This familiarity with the underlying subject matter of the setting, leads the book to evoke a sense of place not readily found in other works.

The narrative touches on a variety of themes, seeming to center around the inevitability of tomorrow and the pursuit of human interests through spirituality, creativity, and friendship.