It was his fifth novel, first published in the United Kingdom 21 years after Achebe's previous one (A Man of the People in 1966), and was credited with having "revived his reputation in Britain".

The plot centres around the political intrigue, in an imaginary West African country of Kangan, where a Sandhurst-trained officer, identified only as Sam and known as "His Excellency",, has taken power following a military coup.

Tensions escalate throughout the novel, culminating in the assassination of Ikem by the regime, the toppling and death of Sam, and finally the murder of Chris.

The book ends with A non-traditional naming ceremony for Elewa and Ikem's month-old daughter, organized by Beatrice.

Charles Johnson, writing for The Washington Post, praised the book but faulted Achebe for failing to fully flesh out his characters.