New York: Plume / Dutton, (1994.). Warm, funny, and deeply moving. Although set in San Francisco in the 50s, this is a brilliantly rendered novel of family relationships, culture shock, and the rites of passage that are the universal perils of growing up "American." His highly praised first novel, the first book selected in San Francisco's "one city, one book" program. 322 pp. ISBN: 0-452-271584.