John Venner is a middle-aged Doctor of Divinity who is in the process of a divorce from the true love of his life. He is also obsessed with the last colony of Shakers in New England, and particularly the youngest member of the community, 23 year old Sabbathday Wells. In a way only Smith could describe, Venner searches for real love and intimacy in a morally corrupt post-modern america. He dreams of redemption by purity, by the simple acts of hard work, and cleanliness of soul and body. His need for intimacy- divine and human- leads him on a sexual quest for the last American virgin. This book is extremely entertaining to read, immaculately written, and shows a depth of understanding of the post-modern soul which is rare indeed.