The book is a novel that captures the disaffections of young adults growing up in the late 20th century, specifically those born in the late 1950s to the early 1980s. It follows the lives of three friends who have retreated to the California desert to escape the complexities and frustrations of the modern world. Through their stories, the novel explores themes of aimlessness, consumer culture, and the search for authenticity in a society saturated with media and technology. The characters' tales are interspersed with quirky definitions and cartoons that reflect their cynical, yet deeply yearning outlook on life, coining terms and concepts that resonate with a generation struggling to find its identity amidst economic and social uncertainty.

In the play, a family reunion during Christmas in Palm Springs is disrupted when the daughter, an aspiring writer, announces her plans to publish a memoir that revives a tragic event in the family's history. The revelation threatens to tear the family apart as secrets are unearthed and differing memories and perspectives come to light. The family members, including two parents with a history in Hollywood and politics, an aunt who was a former screenwriter, and an addict brother, all must confront their past and the impact of the daughter's book on their future. The play delves into themes of family loyalty, political responsibility, and the elusive nature of truth.