Summary

The novel opens on Jude and Willem, two friends from college who are in their mid-twenties and are living in New York City. They are looking for an affordable apartment but have not yet been able to find one. Jude has graduated from law school. Also living in New York City are their two other good friends from college, JB and Malcolm. JB’s full name is Jean-Baptiste Marion. JB is homosexual, is an aspiring artist, and currently works as a receptionist for an arts magazine. JB introduces Jude and Willem to a friend of his who is renting out an apartment. The apartment is on Lispenard Street. It is small and of generally poor quality, but Jude and Willem soon sign a lease to rent it. The narration briefly mentions that women are often attracted to Willem. The narration then shifts to exposit...