This novel almost reads like a series of connected short stories. Each chapter focuses mainly on one character, but we also see all the other characters in how they interact alltogether.
There is gentle Joseph, who despite his own fragile mental health helps to hold the others togehter. Alma, the queen, who is so entertaining one can't quite hate her the way one wants to. Allen and Mike, both tougher than nails with very real weaknesses, and Carlotta and Roxanne who seem to be almost too far removed from life itself.
The story is told with a wry sense of humour, and it's hard to put the book down, since no one ever has a boring moment, including the reader. Told in an era when 2nd wave feminism was at it's height and gay and lesbian politics were still just emerging, it is interesting to read the book some 26 years later and find that much of its politics still apply!
