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Ford returns to the same themes over and over—the connections are difficult to make, good intentions do not always lead to happiness, and happiness may not in fact be easy to attain. Frank Bascombe is in many ways a typical American male who finds it difficult to express his feelings and fears the intimacy—and possible pain—that such disclosure might bring. So after a life of missteps and heartbreaks, he seals himself off and holds himself somewhat aloof from the rest of the world, a state he calls "dreaminess" and that others refer to in more derogatory terms.

Frank is essentially a good man who does not consciously want to harm others, although he often does. He cares about his ex-wife, about his girlfriend Vicki Arcenault, and about his remaining children, but he cannot seem to.....

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