The Streets Are Empty at night, and people see nothing because they have trained themselves not to. It is Argentina in time of the generals. Richard Garay lives alone with his mother hiding his sexuality from her and from the world. Stifled by a job he despises, he is willing to take chances, both sexual and professional The Falklands War enables him to disregard the Britishness he ha inherited from his mother, and the arrival of two American diplomat offer him new hope and the prospect of making his fortune.

Argentina is changing, and as his country slowly makes its peace with the outside world, Richard tentatively begins a love affair -- but the Faustian bargain he has made with experience is gradually becoming a nightmare. Richard tells his picaresque story with a mixture o confessional guilt and awestruck wonder. The Story of the Night is a powerful, brave, and moving novel.