Lucinda Hoekke spends eight hours a day at The Complaint Line, listening to anonymous callers air their random grievances. Most of the time the work is excruciatingly tedious. But one frequent caller, who insists on speaking only to Lucinda, captivates her with his off-color ruminations and opaque self-reflections. In blatant defiance of the rules, Lucinda and the Complainer arrange a face-to-face meeting—and fall desperately in love.

Lucinda does manage to tear herself away from The Complainer to practice with the alternative band where she plays bass. The lead singer, Matthew, is a confused young man who works at the zoo and recently kidnapped a kangaroo to save it from ennui. Denise, the drummer, works at No Shame, a masturbation boutique. The band's talented lyricist, Bedwin, conflicted about the band's nonexistent fame, is suffering from writer's block. Hoping to recharge the band's creative energy, Lucinda “suggests” some of The Complainer's philosophical musings to Bedwin. When Bedwin transforms them into brilliant songs, the band gets its big break, including an invitation to appear on L.A.'s premiere alternative radio show. The only problem is The Complainer. He insists on joining the band, with disastrous consequences for all.

A comedy of plagiarism, usurpation, and sex, with delightful echoes of A Midsummer Night's Dream, YOU DON'T LOVE ME YET showcases the range and dexterity of Jonathan Lethem's prodigious talent.