The book is a satire of a pretentious ladies lunch and literature group set in the early 1900s. The six ladies are reminiscent of an elite high school clique where there is heavy competition and an odd man out. The story focuses on the visit of a famous guest author that doesn't turn out quite as planned. The only topic presented that the guest will discuss is Xingu. The ladies all state that they have just studied it... but have they and do they even know what it is?