Set in San Francisco during the early 1980s, Don't Ever Leave This Country draws a connection between the narcissism of America and that of a reckless young man on the loose for the first time. You might not want to trade places with the protagonist, Evan Bando, but you will stay with him through the good times and then the hard lessons learned until the fateful conclusion that catapults the reader to the present day. This strange and funny novel starts out as a simple tale of youthful excess and indiscretion, and goes beyond with its intriguing storytelling and strong emotional impact.