Compared to What: A Novel

"Compared to What" is a story of friendship among three individuals: Jonah Verhagen, a well-educated urban professional who has gradually slid from the middle class; Marcus Weathers, a disillusioned retired U.S. Congressman; and Angela Chang, a Chinese immigrant struggling to keep her small coffeehouse open under oppressive competition from multi-national rival Global Café. Their paths converge in the city of Riverside, California, early in the new century, where the social and political forces of the decade serve only to deepen cynicism and poison hope. Jonah, Marcus, and Angela each bring unique strengths to their relationship, and their shared humanity bridges their ostensibly diverse backgrounds. But can this friendship survive the force of events beyond their control? Compared to What is both a tale of the times and a story for all time.