The novel delves into the complex themes of human relationships,[1] sexuality, and mortality with a nuanced narrative that intertwines the mundane with the profound.

Despite his proficiency in depicting eroticism, Michael struggles with his personal relationships, particularly with an older woman, Josephine, who falls in love with him.

Meanwhile, his employer, Maloney, a failed poet and prominent figure in the pornography industry, gradually gains influence over Michael's tumultuous life.

Michael, a thirty-year-old alcoholic, navigates through his emotionally indifferent existence, grappling with Josephine's pregnancy and the societal expectations of 1970s Ireland.

The novel was met with critical acclaim, praised for its compelling portrayal of an isolated existential hero navigating the complexities of Dublin life.