Dava and Barr are married with two sons. They are both English professors at a university in the midwest. When Dava is in the throes of dementia, Barr discovers a novel his wife has secretly spent years writing. It is excellent and Barr passes if off as his own. The rough draft also alerts Barr that his wife has been having an affair with a female colleague. The title refers to a one eared, badly scarred, abandoned dog who enhances the lives of the main characters.

I understand this sounds like a cop out, but I am really unsure why I so thoroughly enjoyed Luna, Phoenix, Queen. I only know you don’t have to be gay, a dog lover or an English professor to appreciate Julie Orringer’s latest novel.