From the author of God's Snake, and Fear comes a stunning novel that shines light on what it means to be beautiful, and to be possessed--by oneself, and by others. The setting is 1970s New York City, a time and place of creativity, sexual freedom, and unforeseen dangers. At its center is Beatrice, who is twenty-five, mesmerizingly lovely, intelligent, and married to Ned, a volatile painter whose obsession with her has turned to hatred. Beatrice is desired by everyone around her: by Faye, her seductive, bawdy childhood friend; by Cyril, a lonely, charismatic Vietnam veteran; by Chris, a young heroin addict. And then there is Perkins, the oddly threatening man next door. An intoxicating mix of desire, longing, and menace, Before captures a dizzying time in America.