The story in one page
Laura Landon trades her high-society Chicago cage for a quiet, independent life in New York City. She works to distance herself from her father’s rigid expectations while befriending Marcie and a group of people who introduce her to a new vocabulary for her desires. Plagued by anxiety and a past that clings to her, Laura oscillates between repression and emotional honesty. When a public encounter with her father nearly breaks her resolve, she navigates the city streets to find the one person who challenges her to stop hiding. Eventually, she discards her reserve to reach for the life she actually wants.
Who's who
- Laura
A woman seeking independence from a stifling, affluent upbringing.
- Merrill Landon
Laura's wealthy, controlling father who expects total compliance.
- Marcie
Laura's unpredictable roommate who complicates her domestic life.
- Jack
A blunt acquaintance who pushes Laura toward self-acceptance.
- Beebo
A self-assured woman who eventually accepts Laura’s affection.
What it's really about
- Autonomy
- Reclaiming life from parental authority.
- Silence
- The weight of words unsaid.
Why it's memorable
- Laura sprinting through a subway station to escape her father’s gaze.
- Two women kissing under a solitary streetlamp in the middle of the night.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
After a tense walk through the city, Beebo stops, admits her defeat in the face of Laura's persistence, and pulls her into an embrace. The two finally walk off together toward Cordelia Street.
For your book club
- Why does Laura view silence as a protective tool?
- How does the urban geography influence the characters' freedom?