Marcus, a bright but intense young man leaves home to attend a conservative college in 1951 while fears of the Korean War loom large. Marcus is required (against his beliefs) to attend church services as part of curriculum, becomes entangled with a troubled young woman and has unpleasant dealings with several male students as well as the Dean. Roth packs shocking, ironic, comedic and tragic into one short, engrossing and thought provoking novel.