A philologist seeking a career advancement in North Wales finds his life redirected by a local struggle against corporate encroachment. Roger Furnivall, a forty-year-old academic, arrives in the Welsh hills intending to master the language for a lucrative position in Sweden. His solitary plans dissolve when he encounters Gareth Jones, a local bus operator resisting a corporate monopoly. The narrative follows Roger as he shifts from an observer of linguistic curiosities to an active participant in the community's defense against external economic forces, facing physical danger in the process.

Readers and critics frequently note the author's ability to balance character-driven introspection with a vigorous, plot-oriented narrative. Discussion often centers on the shift from the author's earlier, more cynical works to this more mature, empathetic exploration of social change. The setting of North Wales is consistently highlighted as a vital component that shapes the tone and provides a distinct atmosphere for the protagonist's development. Many observers appreciate the focus on the tension between abstract economic forces and the tangible, human cost of corporate greed. The work is widely regarded as a significant example of the author's later style, emphasizing human connection over the social rebellion of his earlier career.