The story involves Rose Chismore's youth. She flashes back and remembers her coming-of-age. Her recollections are sometimes less than sweet, particularly those of her troubled and alcoholic step-father. Her memories of Robin, her first-love, are much happier and she also recalls her colorful Aunt Starr -- who's visit is fun but also detrimental to her family's health. The setting of 1950s Las Vegas' bomb testing is increasingly significant to the development of the story.

Een jong meisje groeit op in een arme familie in de buurt van Las Vegas, zo rond 1950. Haar stiefvader is nogal agressief en begint steeds meer te drinken. Dan arriveert haar tante, die voor een paar weekjes komt logeren.

Die Nöte und Sorgen eines Mädchens, das zur Zeit des Korea-Krieges und der Atom-Euphorie heranwächst.