Risa McKeig

Risa is a young student at the University of Washington when the novel begins, and quickly develops a fascination with ancient Sanskrit. Her study of Vedic texts quickly leads her to a position of modest fame on the university's campus, and she becomes close friends with a man named TJ McGraff who begins studying painting with her. However, Risa's struggle to overcome her childhood traumas cause her to develop anger toward her father, Dave, and to disavow her Vedic literature for precepts within it that she considers misogynistic.

After leaving school, TJ hires Risa to manage his businesses following a serious injury to his brother, Jervis, and Risa's personal relationships begin to suffer because of the strain she places on herself. By the time she moves to Providence, RI, to pursue an MFA, she has become distant from her own emotional center, and begins dating a man...