The narrative follows the fragmented existence of Eddie Twyborn as he navigates shifting gender identities and social alienation across three distinct phases of his life. Eddie Twyborn, the son of a judge and an alcoholic mother, seeks self-affirmation and connection while oscillating between the personas of Eudoxia, Eddie, and Eadith. His quest for identity is hindered by the rigid social expectations of his environment and his own internal psychological instability. The narrative employs a complex, non-linear structure that mirrors the protagonist's internal instability, forcing the reader to reconcile the disparate versions of a single, elusive self.

Discussion often centers on the technical complexity of White's prose and his uncompromising approach to the protagonist's fractured psyche. Readers frequently highlight the challenging nature of the narrative shifts, which demand close attention to the subtle evolution of the central character. Critics often focus on the author's ability to render the ambiguity of human experience through the lens of a character who refuses to conform to binary categories. The work is widely regarded as a significant exploration of the intersection between identity, social performance, and the search for authentic connection.