The discovery of an extramarital affair between a university professor and his student ignites a protracted domestic conflict that dismantles the facade of a respectable academic marriage. Brian Tate, a professor, and his wife Erica navigate the disintegration of their relationship as they engage in a series of retaliatory maneuvers and psychological skirmishes. The narrative follows their attempts to maintain appearances within their intellectual social circle while their private lives descend into chaos. Lurie employs a third-person omniscient perspective to dissect the motivations and hypocrisies of both protagonists as they struggle to reconcile their personal desires with societal expectations.

Readers and critics frequently highlight the sharp, biting wit Lurie employs to expose the vulnerabilities of her characters. Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of the novel as a social satire that captures the specific anxieties of the late 1960s academic environment. Many observers note the balance between the comedic elements of the plot and the underlying seriousness of the marital breakdown. The narrative is often praised for its refusal to offer easy resolutions or moral absolutes, leaving the reader to contemplate the complexities of human behavior. The pacing is generally described as deliberate, allowing for a thorough examination of the psychological motivations driving the protagonists' actions.