"It is 1968, and Itchy Shovlin struggles to bear the pain of his older brother's death in Vietnam. Grief-stricken, at odds with his father and surviving brother, disillusioned by the war, Itchy befriends Robin Debussy. Under her influence, Itchy gains confidence in himself. First friends, then lovers, the two plunge themselves into a maelstrom that drives a small New Jersey town to the brink of disintegration."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved