Following the death of his mother, thirteen-year-old Joel Knox is sent to live with an estranged father in the decaying Skully's Landing, only to find himself trapped in a web of bizarre secrets and isolation. Joel navigates the humid, claustrophobic environment of the Deep South, seeking connection with a parent who remains hidden from view. He encounters a cast of eccentric inhabitants who operate under their own distorted social codes, forcing him to confront his own identity and burgeoning sexuality. The narrative utilizes a third-person limited perspective to emphasize the protagonist's sense of displacement and the dreamlike, often surreal atmosphere of his new home.

Discussion often centers on the novel's lush, evocative prose style which defines the Southern Gothic genre. Readers frequently highlight the dreamlike quality of the narrative, noting how the setting functions as a character in its own right. Critics often point to the work as a significant early exploration of queer identity within American literature. The pacing is described as deliberate and introspective, prioritizing the internal development of the protagonist over traditional plot progression. Many readers find the atmosphere of decadence and mystery to be the most enduring element of the reading experience.