Summary

The novel opens with a Prologue in which Jamie Hawkins, who insists on being called Jim, explains that he found this manuscript. It appears to have been written by Jim, but he does not remember writing it. The manuscript's main character is very much like Jim, except that “I don't remember ever being such a sarcastic little snot” (Location 29). His theory is that his Grandma Tucker wrote it, though he admits it is a thin explanation because there are some very private thoughts revealed. He has occasional moments of “deja vu” that he cannot explain.

Chapter 1 opens with Jim describing his life and family. They live in Cody, Wyoming. He believes they live there because his parents want to ensure he is bored. He describes the region, including the Big Horn Basic that is very much like a desert. He has three...