The book is a collection of interlinked stories that delve into the lives of young, eccentric artists and their struggle for survival and identity in the gritty urban landscape of 1980s New York City. The narrative follows a diverse group of characters, including an aspiring jewelry designer navigating the complexities of her relationship with a self-absorbed artist, as they grapple with poverty, ambition, and the search for artistic recognition. Through a series of vignettes, the book paints a vivid portrait of a subculture defined by its members' vulnerability and resilience, capturing the essence of an era and its bohemian denizens.

The 4009th greatest book of all time