1989. In this novel people in New York are stuck in their apartments with few options except jumping into new relationships to get into their lovers' apartments. Loraine and David have a beautiful Upper West Side apartment they've sunk a ton of money into, but the contractors screwed them over and everything is broken. David is cheating so he moves in with his lover for a while. Loraine's lover Jack, an artist, moves in.

The most interesting thing about the book to me in Jack's struggle to paint. For a while he mugs people as performance art, after he is mugged in Tompkins Square Park. The gallery scene and art critics are skewered.

David ends up a homeless drug addict, squatting in the apartment building across the street from Loraine.

Loraine has her own clothing company and reads Women's Wear Daily. She also has an adolescent daughter and a dog and cat who feature prominently. And a great view of the Hudson.

It was pretty awesome. ( )