Out of the Whirlwind is the story of a young man coming of age in the 1950's in the New York metropolitan area, . He struggles with growing ambiguities about sexual identity and stern, unyielding expectations of a dominant father, braided together to form an apparent life of brilliance at law school, clerkship for a Justice of the Supreme Court and practice at a prominent New York City law firm. Adam Hudson's life appears charmed, with professional success and a loyal and loving wife and child. In truth he is a man deeply tormented, hiding his homosexual longings in a closet of privilege. The book poignantly captures this torment, through its childhood whispers and growth, followed, ultimately, by the triumph of finally breaking out, falling in love and building a new life with a man-a life tragically cut short by AIDS.