A collection of short stories includes the title story, in which a famous writer, who just learned he may have a brain tumor, must decide how to care for his distant, American Indian father who is slowly dying.

WINNER OF THE 2010 PEN/FAULKNER AWARD.

"The Limited" -- Breaking and entering -- "Go, Ghost, Go" -- Bird-watching at night -- "After building the Lego 'Star Wars' Ultimate Death Star" -- War dances -- "The theology of reptiles" -- Catechism -- "Ode to small-town sweethearts" -- The senator's son -- "Another proclamation" -- Invisible dog on a leash -- "Home of the braves" -- The ballad of Paul Nonetheless -- "On airplanes" -- Big bang theory -- "Ode for pay phones" -- Fearful symmetry -- "Ode to mix tapes" -- Roman Catholic haiku -- "Looking glass" -- Salt -- "Food chain.".