Summary

The novel takes place in the year 1936. Chapter 1, “The Start,” opens on a Thursday. The protagonist is Don Birnam, an alcoholic in his mid-thirties. He is in his small New York City apartment, and his younger brother, Wick Birnam has come to visit him. Wick and Helen (Don’s girlfriend) have invited Don to see an opera with them and then go with them on a weekend retreat upstate. Don has been sober for three days. Don says that he does not feel well enough to go to the opera with them, but that he will still go upstate with them that evening. After Wick leaves the apartment, Don tries to keep his mind off of alcohol. He tries, reading, listening to music, and petting his dog, Mac. He finds an envelope left by Wick. It contains money for Mrs. Foley, the woman Wick...