The complex racial and class dynamics in the US are exposed through the story of Victor, a young Arab-American man convicted of rape, and three people whose lives he affects: Nate, a white journalist with stubborn ideals; Nate's wife, who is starting to question those ideals; and Nate's best friend, an African-American housing developer.

Tension builds in a small San Francisco apartment as the characters confront their blind spots and the ways in which sexual desire and prejudice collide. Outside the apartment, the landscapes of the educated urban elite and the working class are vividly contrasted. [adult content, language]

Two storylines address the power of fate. A couple receives a phone call informing them that their daughter has been in a serious car accident. A parallel story follows the catastrophic event of an asteroid that collided with earth 65 million years ago.

News of their daughter's death brings the couple to the realization of what is most important: the moments we share together with our loved ones. Based on the short story by T.C. Boyle published in The New Yorker in March 2004, and in his collection Tooth and Claw.