[3] The novel begins with the protagonist's arrival in Paris, haunted by memories of the Vietnam War and struggling to find his place in the world.

Under the guidance of Bon, the protagonist becomes embroiled in the drug trade, navigating alliances and betrayals while grappling with his moral compass.

Throughout the novel, the protagonist engages in philosophical discussions with Bon and Yunior, exploring existential themes and the nature of identity.

As political tensions rise in Paris, the protagonist becomes entangled in revolutionary activities and confronts the legacy of colonialism.

"[7] Publishers Weekly, in its starred review, praised "the narrator’s hair-raising escapes, descriptions of the Boss's hokey bar, and thoughtful references to Fanon and Césaire.