The story is based in a society where deviation from the norm is frowned upon, where ‘deviants’ are sought out, persecuted and driven into the wilderness. Any plants that are too big, too small, too many leaves, of the wrong colour, go up in flames, and any animal that might have a extra toe, a missing ear would be slaughtered. All these done to ‘appease’ the Lord. It is a world where people are close to being fanatics are ‘preserving the true image of God’ ie, anyone who unfortunately had any physical difference would be persecuted.

David, who has grown up as one of the ‘true images’ has secretly known himself to be different. He, and a group of select few are able to communicate in thought images. As these children grow up, they learn the terror of being found to be different, even if they were superiorly different. They manage to keep this special talent (what I would call it) hidden from the rest, until one of them marry a Norm and the secret leaks out.

What follows is an exciting escape into the Fringes and a journey of self discovery. They learn that everything is merely a difference in perspective. Interesting enough, in the Fringes, there are communities of people where everyone is ‘different’ in the same way, and the resultant Norm, is considered an abomination of nature.

Beneath all the excitement of a good adventure, this novel brings out everyone’s desire to fit in with the rest, it’s not easy to be different, even in a good way. It takes loads of courage and confidence in oneself to be able to choose one’s own route in life and persevere in it no matter how different and ‘abnormal’ others might perceive it to be.