Barbara Crossie, 31-year-old relationships columnist, has been invited by her friend Harry to join a Canadian delegation to China. Also in the delegation is the formidable Elizabeth Pearl Murray, head of the Writers’ Guild, who used to live in China. Barbara’s not sure what she has to contribute, as she’s only just published her first book—Mad About Men —but Harry, a publisher of worthy political books, assures her she will be great, the trip will be great.