The novel tells the story of the rise and fall of a fictional world surfing champion Dennis Keith.

The character of Dennis Keith was inspired by the life of the Australian surfer Michael Peterson.

Dennis is a poor gold coast kid who is mysteriously found and adopted by his mother "Mo" Keith.

[3] The Guardian wrote "If Winton is an aria, Knox is early Rolling Stones", "The Life confirms what The Literary Review has known all along – 'Knox is, quite simply, a fabulous writer.

'"[1] Christos Tsiolkas, author of the best selling novel The Slap wrote "The Life, is alternately evocative and lacerating, tender and unflinching, a gloriously honest, brutal and moving story of a man who was at the top of his game and then pissed it all away".