Summary

The novel begins with Harry Angstrom stopping to watch a pick up basketball game, while on his way home from work in the small town of Mt. Judge, Pennsylvania. Harry, nicknamed Rabbit by his friends in school, used to be a star player in high school. He asks the boys if he can join their game. They reluctantly agree. He runs home exuberant after the game.

Harry’s happiness vanishes when he makes it home to his shabby apartment. Janice, his pregnant wife, sits in front of the television with a drink. They argue about money and her drinking. He then goes to pick up their son at his parents’ house and their car, which Janice left at her parents’ house after a day of shopping.

Harry goes to his parents’ house and watches through the window how his family interacts with his son. It makes...