May Attaway works as a gardener at the local university and seems to prefer plants to people. She is single, living in the childhood home to which she returned to take care of her ailing mother. Her mother is now dead, and her father occupies the basement. At age 40 May realizes that she doesn't want to become like Grendel, the friendless monster in Beowulf.
May has few friends. Those she considers her best friends do not live nearby, nor is May good about keeping in touch. When she is awarded extra vacation time, she decides to visit the four friends separately -- two from childhood, one from college, and one from graduate school.
There are no dramatic epiphanies on the visits, but May gradually becomes more confiding and comfortable with connection. Back home, she is more open to a man who is interested in her.
Toward the end of the book Kane reveals details about May's mother's depression and death, which likely had much to do with May's cautious disposition.
May's observations are sometimes made in metaphors about species of trees, which have full-page illustrations. She also likes to refer to literary works. She is a witty, interesting, occasionally tart narrator whose company readers will likely enjoy.
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