Phase 1, Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Summary

This first section of the novel introduces its central character - the princess without a kingdom, Leigh-Cheri. It describes her romantic attitudes, and how those attitudes are challenged by society in "the latter half of the twentieth century" (see "Quotes", p. 3-4), a time of deep uncertainty for Leigh-Cheri and others who still believe in love. This uncertainty is portrayed in a sequence in which Leigh-Cheri looks out at the full moon and wonders aloud to Prince Charming (her pet toad) whether the moon has a purpose. Narration in the sardonic voice of The Writer suggests that in the midst of all the many questions about life, there is only one of importance - "Who knows how to make love stay?" and also suggests that if there's an answer to that question, there's an answer to whether the moon...