A professor hears the neighbor's phone ring. He is troubled that it may be for him. After he can't endure it anymore, he answers. The caller says that his wife is bound in a building that will be destroyed in 30 minutes. Now he is struggling with what to do. He eventually goes there after realizing it is a girl that he knows. He rescues her only to be yelled at.
A novel primarily ruminates on the life of the writer. How does one write? Do they own what they right. What about those that do unauthorized translations or new works in the style of an other? This is almost an essay, but writing as fiction allows for greater exploration.
Too Like the Lightening is set in a futuristic world. A general peace is established with various "clans" that have differing views of the world. A high-speed transportation system is available that lets people go just about anywhere. Religion is taboo and having three are more people talk about religion is considered a church. Gender is considered archaic with most people considered gender neutral. Sexual activity is still a thing and the mere concept of gendered talk or dress is often found to be sexually promiscuous. The past is well respected in this world and the story is told often from an 18th century style of language. There are also computer-like people that are more machine than man.