A small-town drug dealer navigates the volatile social landscape of New York City's Washington Square, where his survival depends on a precarious alliance with a cast of eccentric and dangerous associates. Johnny B. Goode operates within the gritty confines of the city, attempting to maintain his status while surrounded by figures such as the enigmatic Holy Mother, a Black Muslim enforcer, and a Puerto Rican voodooist. The narrative examines the friction between these disparate personalities as they occupy the same urban territory. Bell employs a sharp, observational framework to document the power dynamics and shifting loyalties within this localized subculture. The physical environment of the park serves as both a stage and a constraint for the characters' ambitions and failures.

Readers frequently highlight the author's ability to capture the raw, unvarnished atmosphere of urban life during the period. Discussion often centers on the complex interplay between the diverse members of the ensemble and how their conflicting belief systems drive the narrative tension. Critics note the precision of the character studies, which prioritize psychological depth over traditional plot progression. The pacing is described as deliberate, allowing the reader to fully inhabit the specific, claustrophobic world of the park. Many find the stylistic choices effective in grounding the story in a tangible, albeit harsh, reality.