The novel delves into the lives of two young men who are linked by a traumatic event from their childhood. One of them becomes obsessed with alien abductions, believing his lost time and strange memories are evidence of extraterrestrial encounters, while the other spirals into a dark world of sexual exploration and prostitution. As they grow older, their individual quests for truth lead them on a collision course with their past, forcing them to confront the reality of what happened to them and its lasting impact on their lives. The narrative explores themes of memory, trauma, and the complexities of human sexuality, set against the backdrop of 1980s America.

The novel is a fictional account of the life of notorious abolitionist John Brown, told from the perspective of a young, freed slave named Henry Shackleford. Disguised as a girl for his own safety, Henry becomes a member of Brown's motley family of abolitionist soldiers, and finds himself in the historic 1859 raid on the U.S. Armory at Harpers Ferry. The book blends historical facts with imaginative storytelling, providing a humorous yet poignant exploration of race, religion, and identity in America.