"Postwar newlyweds Chic and Diane Waldbeeser are determined to carve out a life for themselves and their son, Lomax, in Middleville, Illinois. But when ten-year-old Lomax dies, Chic and Diane take refuge in religion, haiku poetry, doll collecting, food and bowling as they try to make sense of their overwhelming grief and guilt. Meanwhile Chic's older brother Buddy, struggles to make a life with his exotic, naive wife Liiy- who is hiding a devastating secret of her own- while attempting to introduce the residents of Middleville to vegetarianism and Ayurveda. (An unusual endavour in mid-century Middle America)" --Publisher's description.