Like other stories written by this author, the novel explores the alienation of modern man from urban society.

[1] It is written in the first person narrative mode, and is divided into a prologue, three "notebooks" (black, gray, and white), and a concluding letter from the protagonist's wife.

In an effort to regain the affection of his wife, he attempts to create a prosthetic mask in a rented apartment.

With this new "face," the protagonist sees the world in a new way and begins a clandestine affair with his estranged wife.

An anonymous reviewer at Kirkus Reviews writes: "Abe's symbolic pantomime is not extroverted; in fact it is very ingrown; but it toys with images and ideas in a fascinating fashion, even while at the expense of both the reader's patience and sensibility.