The theme of this episodic novel is 'gravity' in both its alternative definitions - the handling of grief and the scientific investigation into the nature of gravitation. The plot - to the extent that there is a plot, as against a sequence of random events that occur in our world to have advantageous and catastrophic side effects - is secondary to development of character. It is human nature that is being explored - what it means to be human - in addition to the nature of gravitation as definitive of the behavior of our physical universe. It explores the interplay between physical and mental aspects of our being.