Told from the perspective of a man who settles for what life gives him, this wise and bittersweet novel follows Carlos, a skinny drunk who abandons his college studies and stops seeing his friends after experiencing the trauma of having to wear braces at the age of 24. Instead, he devotes his time to his sentimental and possessive girlfriend Marianna, who is a professional boxer. As time passes, though, Carlos realizes that he doesn't know how to relate to her because even though she is the perfect lover and companion, he wants her to be something she cannot be, causing them both to suffer. Nor does he know how to relate to his family, as he unsuccessfully tries to build a relationship with his responsible and studious younger brother Mario, who suffers from a degenerative disease. Attempting to escape from his inability to connect with the people in his life through alcohol, Carlos realizes that his avoidance is futile, and this sad story chronicles his increasing desperation and pain. Contada desde la perspectiva de un hombre que se conforma con lo que la vida le da, esta novela sabia y agridulce sigue a Carlos, un flaco borracho que abandona sus estudios universitarios y deja de ver a sus amigos después de experimentar la trauma de tener que usar ortodoncia a la edad de 24. En cambio, pasa tiempo con su novia sentimental y posesiva Mariana, quien es una boxeador profesional. Con el paso del tiempo, sin embargo, Carlos se da cuenta de que no la sabe comprender porque aunque es la perfecta amante y compañera, él quiere que ella sea algo que no puede ser, resultando en el sufrimiento de ambos. Tampoco sabe cómo relacionarse con su familia, intentando sin éxito tener una relación con su responsable y estudioso hermano menor Mario, quien sufre de una enfermedad degenerativa. Intentando escapar a través del alcohol su incapacidad de conectar con la gente en su vida, Carlos se da cuenta que su evasión es en vano, y esta historia triste relata su desesperación y dolor creciente.
