The relationship between formerly overweight high school junior Rita and her thirty-three-year-old beau Arnold Bromberg plays out against an international backdrop and explores themes of romance, abandonment, autonomy and dependence, and metamorphosis. The romantic pairing at the center of the story features two unique characters.

One of the ironies of the novel is that Arnold, who is twice as old as Rita, is actually less worldly. His background, growing up as the son of a minister in Kansas, is somewhat sheltered, and he admits to Rita's parents that his interests, which include music, literature, and philosophy, would not provide much security for a family.

When conflict arises, it is Arnold who flees the scene and moves to Europe, where he initially drifts around the Continent. Rita is a very different character. She has been overweight for most of her life, and feels "the loneliness...