A man navigates the shifting landscape of his own identity as he reflects on two pivotal periods of his life separated by decades. Edith and Sloss are the central figures whose lives intersect across the span of forty years. The narrative framework alternates between the protagonist's youth in the 1940s and his middle age in the 1980s, examining how memory and experience alter the perception of past events. The protagonist attempts to reconcile his youthful idealism with the pragmatic, often cynical reality of his later years, facing the logical constraints of time and the physical changes inherent in aging.

Discussion often centers on the author's precise prose and the structural complexity of the dual-timeline narrative. Readers frequently highlight the stark contrast between the protagonist's younger self and his older, more disillusioned persona. Critics often note the book's focus on the social and sexual evolution of Australian society throughout the twentieth century. The balance of character development remains the primary focus, as the plot relies more on internal reflection than external action. This work is frequently cited for its intellectual rigor and its refusal to provide simple resolutions to the protagonist's existential questions.