The essence of this little work of art is probably best summed up by one Mark Lewis-Jenkins in his 'Foreword' notes: "...if you can dwell less on an undeniable undercurrent of melancholia, resist the temptation to be judgemental and just let the narrative flow, there are some engaging moments of amusement to enjoy in what is essentially a potted autobiography told through a fascinating anthology of short stories highlighting the absurdities observed...