Summary

In Chapter 1, the McGrath family lives on a large walled off estate on Coronado Island in California. It is May 1966, and the family is throwing a party for Finley McGrath who is about to go to war in Vietnam. Military service is expected of the McGrath men, and Finley is following suit. His younger sister, protagonist Frances McGrath, is expected to be a respectable lady as she walks around the party making small talk with guests. Finley and his best friend, Rye, come into the party drunk, and Mr. McGrath gives a speech honoring his son. Mr. McGrath is a wealthy man because of money he earned in real estate. Frances, referred to as Frankie, wanders into her father’s study and sees his wall of honor where he has photographs and awards won by the men in the family for...