A coming-of-age novel in which Susan, a popular and beautiful college freshman, rejects her protective family environment and gradually degenerates into overweight and isolation, as she confronts drugs, her close friend's pregnancy, binge drinking, date rape, abortion, sex-for-grades, and other challenges while experiencing the excitement of her growth as a writer. She laces a climactic choice when her female mentor makes an unanticipated sexual advance toward her, posing the dilemma for Susan of whether submission to the lesbian relationship is necessary to her writing career.