The main narratorial voice of the novel is an ogbanje, a deity from Igbo religion, that occupies the Ada, and manifests in multiple distinct and characterised personalities, both helpful and antagonistic.

At the same time, another personality known as St Vincent emerges, with an emphasis on masculinity, including binding and eventually undergoing top surgery.

Following the emergence of these unique ogbanje personalities, there is a constant struggle for control over the Ada's life, the outcome of which includes self harm, exploration of sexuality and gender identity, and experimentation with intoxication.

In the final section of the novel, the Ada reflects on her personalities and the nature of the ogbanje in an introspective manner, as she gains a sense of wholeness to her identity.

The narrator often changes between chapter, between the initial first person plural of the ogbanje, Asughara, St Vincent, and eventually the Ada herself, who doesn't gain a voice in her own story until well into the novel.

Emezi explores their Igbo heritage's views on spirituality and gender roles alongside those of Western construction and invites their audience to think critically about this spirit/body binary.