Cornelius Christian arrives in New York City carrying his deceased wife, initiating a series of grimly comedic encounters that define his struggle for survival.

Christian navigates the urban landscape as an outsider, forced into the funeral industry to settle debts while grappling with the absurdity of death and social alienation. His path is obstructed by bureaucratic hurdles, eccentric characters, and his own penchant for chaotic misfortune. The narrative utilizes a picaresque framework, following the protagonist through a series of disjointed, often surreal episodes that highlight the indifference of the city. The prose maintains a distinct, rhythmic cadence that mirrors the protagonist's erratic movement through the metropolitan environment.

Discussion often centers on the author's unique linguistic style, which blends lyrical intensity with biting, cynical humor. Readers frequently highlight the protagonist's status as a quintessential anti-hero whose resilience in the face of constant misfortune provides the narrative's core tension. Critics often note the book's ability to balance profound existential sadness with moments of slapstick comedy, creating a tone that is both unsettling and engaging. Many readers appreciate the atmospheric depiction of mid-century New York, which serves as a character in its own right rather than a mere backdrop. The work is widely recognized for its refusal to provide easy resolutions, leaving the reader to contemplate the inherent absurdity of the human experience.