A coming of age story, the book begins in the summer of 1955, as nineteen-year-old Harry Preston moves to London.

Having been granted an early discharge from national service with the RAF, he leaves his provincial English home town to find life and adventure.

Written and directed by Pablo Behrens, it starred Owen Drake, Caitlin Harris, Chris Wellington and Emily Seale-Jones.

[2] The film diverts from the original novel's conceit, with the production of a documentary on Soho by two filmmakers (styled as members of the Free Cinema movement of the period) serving as the framing narrative.

The use of the filmmakers is based on Wilson’s own experiences in London, when he was in contact with members of the Free Cinema movement, appearing in one of their short documentaries.