In this novel composed almost entirely of dialogue, there are fifty-two characters with speaking parts. Rob functions as the book's main narrative voice, with characters such as his mother, grandmother, grandfather, and friends providing strong support. Some minor characters, such as Mr. McCarthy, the teacher who assigns the senior thesis project, are essential to the plot; others perform in what is essentially a chorus: baseball announcers, Spanish-speaking television actors, audiobook readers, and radio station callers whose voices create the background music of Rob's life.

Together, these varied voices explore an array of themes including abandonment, disillusionment, family life, memory and reminiscence, rejection, and self-expression, all under the general rubric of one boy's coming-of-age.

Because the story is told through dialogue, the reader is not (with one important exception) provided with much physical description of the characters. Nor is the reader privy to their inner...