April is a single mother who supports herself working as a stripper in the Puma Club for Men in Florida. When her normal babysitter, Jean, ends up in the hospital, April is forced to take 3-year old Franny to work with her. Leaving her with the house mother while she dances, April becomes involved with Bassam, a Muslim who is on his way to becoming a September 11th hijacker and who pays April to talk to him in the Champagne Room about why she chooses to dance for a living. With April being occupied with high-spending Bassam, Franny wanders into the parking lot of the club and is snatched by a disgruntled club customer who has been thrown out for getting too close to a dancer.
Set mainly over one night shortly before the September 11th attacks, author Dubus explores a multitude of characters in short, effective chapters, drawing readers into their sad lives and the impending doom of the terrorist attacks. Although over 500 pages, this is a fast-paced, taut exploration of fate, sexuality, and power. Dubus is the author of the acclaimed novel, House of Sand and Fog, and if readers liked that novel, they are sure to enjoy this electrifying novel. - Reviewed by Sarah
