The inspiration for the Academy Award-winning film, Manuel Puig's 1976 novel is an extended dialogue between two prisoners: a young political activist named Valentín and the gay window dresser who shares his cell, Molina. Seemingly total opposites—Valentín believes in the just cause which makes all suffering bearable, while Molina believes in the magic of love which makes all else endurable—the two forge an unexpectedly intimate relationship that changes them both, as Molina reweaves the glittering stories of the films he loves, and the cynical Valentín listens.