This book tells the growth of the protagonist George Webber: came to the metropolis New York from a small town in the southern United States but the novel written with all his energies was left out by the publishers; fell in love with the married man Esther but was incompatible with the upper class; came to Europe but the fascist came to power. After a series of struggle and confusion, the author had the impulse of returning to the hometown but he deeply understood that he could no longer find the spiritual home. In this work, the author gradually changes the focus from people's inner world to the outside world and begins to focus on depicting the whole American society, but it is still filled with sadness and confusion.