The story takes place in present-day Toronto. Mike's once happy and content family crumbles under the heavy burden of financial strain and the violent interventions of social service agencies. As the primary victim of this ordeal, Mike's son, Jason, is repeatedly manipulated by various vested interests to achieve their clandestine objectives.
The novel delves deep into the dark and ugly aspects of human nature, where morality seems feeble in the face of the law, and both love and family bonds prove vulnerable in the presence of self-interest. Conventional institutions of marriage appear out of place in today's society, and the legitimate rights of men sometimes face marginalization amid the currents of extreme feminism. In the meantime, the novel encourages people not to lose hope, as there is always the possibility of seeking solutions.
