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This novel explores the life of Dalton Henson, from birth through his 20s. Born in 1942, Dalton struggles with numerous life issues. The author notes in the preface that he wrote this book to "contribute to the understanding of the phenomenon of pedophilia, which I gained through personal experience." Section I is a brief exploration of Dalton's childhood years, his poor relationships with others, the focus on his blushing and constant embarrassment, his basketball prowess, and his sexual attraction to boys. Parts II and III are longer accounts of his writing about his life and what he believes will be a best-selling novel. This includes his summer jobs for a power company, going to college, hanging out with his one friend, attending little league games to watch boys, being a camp counselor, becoming a physical education teacher, joining the military, and writing more novels about pedophiles.
The author writes about Dalton's shame and embarrassment regarding not liking girls/women, being a "sex pervert," placing himself in constant work/volunteer/social situations around boys, and the ongoing "sweet-thrill in his chest" when he is attracted to certain boys. The book takes us through the day-to-day activities of his life in a mundane manner with a thin plot line. He doesn't discuss ways to cope with his pedophilia except to get angry and scream; for example, he never relates having sexual relationships of any type, including masturbation. Is he chaste? The positive of the book is that Dalton recognizes the inappropriateness of his desires and keeps from molesting the boys. It must be noted that there was really no significant professional help for pedophiles in his early lifetime.
In the end, Dalton believes he is an excellent author with a story to tell, and he stops working except to continue to write while living on his savings. He is greatly discouraged when his novel, The Friendly Stranger, is not accepted for publication. The book has an abrupt ending and leads the way for another novel to continue with Dalton's story.