Harry, a Jew of course, is the last holdout in a rent-controlled apartment that is scheduled for demolition. He is also a writer, has published two books, but has been working at the third for ten years. Malamud had a five-year hiatus from publishing a novel. Is this then a semi-autobiographical metaphor for his own struggle to continue writing? Enter Willie, a black squatter who moves into the next apartment; also a writer who is trying desperately to finish his first novel. A strange relationship develops between the writers. The building becomes the milieu through which each hopes to finish his lifes work. Malamuds novel becomes replete with black aphorisms: a Jew trying to write soul in the vernacular of the ghetto. Harry is a loner; Williewho sports a white girlfriendruns with a mixed crowd. So naturally Harry has to seduce the squeeze (She is black of course.) of one of Willies buddies. But when he turns to Willies gal, their relationship turns tempestuous. Neither will finish his work.

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