Preview of Machine Dreams Summary:

Phillips's primary theme is lack of communication and its effects upon the people involved. The pattern begins with Gracie and J. T. Danner, who shout at each other through locked doors but never actually talk to each other. Their conflict is a secret their daughter Jean tries to keep, and she repeats their failure with her own husband, Mitch, who also does not really talk with the people he loves. Raised in a...