The Heart Is the Size of a Fist is a story of a boy's complicated relationship with his violent, but charismatic, alcoholic father. The son, Paul, recalls periods that his parents reconciled, followed by times of desperate flight with his damaged mother. It is also a poignant coming-of-age and a coming-out tale as Paul discovers his identity. And a story of brotherly love, as he seeks to protect from harm his estranged half-brother – the only other person who can call that man 'Dad'.