"Shadows in the Sunset" consists of three novellas, the first being the story that gives the book its title, a story of a Summer lost and never forgotten. It follows a group of youths adventuring through the terrain of Big Sur. Moments are made and the truth of everything is felt through each person's expression.
The second novella is "Underland (The Lost Children)," which follows the simple story of James and Summer, two "fools" just visiting the country fair. Lastly, "A House with No Progression," which is about an artist named Ray and his girlfriend, Anabel Lee. They live together in isolation and have formed their own world within those walls. We begin to see signs of malice and realize that distinguishing reality from fiction is a difficult process for the artist.