This book concludes the trilogy by R. Price which began with The surface of Earth (1975), and continued with The source of light (1982)
Summary
A Southern family's drama as a father witnesses the slow death from AIDS of his son. He hasn't seen him for years, the son having been forced by his black lover to choose between lover and family. As the parents are estranged the father tries to keep the mother away, wanting the son all to himself even in death.