Early in his life, Binx finds himself unmoored and without an established family unit. The long-term effects of the early loss of his father, compounded by the trauma of war, exacerbates this sense of loss. Though Binx’s Aunt Emily stepped in at a critical time to provide Binx with stability and an education, his mother started a new family without Binx, which may have contributed to his sense of familial disconnect. Binx’s inner workings, which make up the bulk of the novel, reveal an inner resilience marked by self-centeredness. Though Binx has managed to survive his early losses and to live a seemingly successful adult life as a stockbroker, his psychological and emotional development are arrested, which sometimes negatively impacts his relationships.

Though Binx’s relationships are generally positive, if somewhat superficial, he has an exceptional connection with his cousin, Kate. His particular closeness with Kate is marred only by the fact that she is even more unstable than he is, due to the loss of her fiancé. Though she survived the car accident that took her fiancé’s life the night before their wedding, her resilience is unreliable. She walked away from the accident physically unharmed but psychologically damaged; years later, she and her family are still coping with the fallout of this tragic incident.