"One of the truly exciting writers of his generation." -Richard Burgin.Within this collection of three novellas Nathan Leslie explores issues of masculinity, nascent maturity and work. In "Arrow East" a young man hears the pleas of his mother and travels east from California to her. In "A Beach Tale" the protagonist grapples with the erosion of his family and an unusual new friendship. "The Janitor" is about a mentor/mentee relationship-an experienced custodian shows the tentative boss's son the ropes. Leslie is well-known for his stories of psychological realism and depth. In these three gritty novellas he depicts an emotional and intellectual landscape of three men in crises with vivid and cinematic verve.