Francis Phelan, a man haunted by a tragic past, returns to his hometown of Albany during the Great Depression to confront the life he abandoned. Francis, a former ballplayer turned transient, navigates the harsh realities of 1938 Albany while grappling with the physical toll of poverty and the psychological weight of his previous actions. He must reconcile his current existence as a social outcast with the memories of the family he left behind decades earlier. The narrative employs a blend of gritty realism and surrealist elements, as Francis interacts with the literal ghosts of those he has harmed. His internal conflict is driven by the tension between his desire for redemption and the crushing inevitability of his circumstances.

Readers and critics frequently highlight the stark, unflinching portrayal of poverty and the psychological complexity of the protagonist. Discussion often centers on the effective use of supernatural elements to externalize the character's internal trauma and moral failings. Many observers note the precision of the prose, which balances dark humor with a somber, reflective tone throughout the narrative. The work is widely recognized for its contribution to regional American literature and its ability to capture the specific social dynamics of mid-twentieth-century Albany. Readers often find the exploration of redemption to be both challenging and intellectually stimulating.