Kathleen, a former tennis star, finds herself confined to the role of a housewife, her dreams and ambitions sidelined for the sake of appearances. Her act of rebellion, refusing to go to church and instead staying in the pool, highlights the stifling expectations placed upon women in 1950s America.

The seemingly idyllic suburban life, with its manicured lawns and prescribed roles, is revealed to be a façade. Kathleen and Virgil's marriage, while appearing successful on the surface, is riddled with unspoken frustrations and simmering resentments. The novel peels back the layers of this manufactured perfection to reveal the discontent that lies beneath.

As Sputnik 2 circles the globe, representing a world on the cusp of change, Kathleen struggles to reconcile her own desires with the expectations of her environment. Her act of rebellion, however small, speaks to a universal human need for individual expression and the courage it takes to break free from societal norms.