It tells the story of the arrival of a new boy, Barry, in the sixth form of an English private school.

The book is set in 1986 and is narrated by a Jewish student at the school, Mark, who does not have much success with girls.

The two become friends, and the book tells of the course of just over a year during which Barry discovers sex with girls and has an affair with a teacher.

[1] The book was adapted for the stage by Russell Labey, and performed at the 2000 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

It is currently running at the Newspace Theatre in Cape Town, South Africa directed by British director Russell Labey and starring Stephen Jubber as Barry.