Professor David Kepesh wakes to discover he has undergone a surreal physical transformation into a 155-pound female breast. Kepesh, a literature professor, must navigate the immediate psychological and physical consequences of his new existence while confined to a hospital setting. The narrative follows his attempts to maintain his identity and intellectual life despite his radical loss of human form. The story utilizes a first-person perspective to examine the tension between his former self and his current, immobile state, highlighting the logical absurdity of his condition.

Readers and critics frequently discuss the work as a provocative exercise in absurdist literature that challenges conventional notions of identity. Discussion often centers on the author's ability to maintain a serious, philosophical tone while exploring a premise that is inherently grotesque and humorous. Many highlight the effective use of the hospital setting to isolate the protagonist and force an intense focus on his internal monologue. The work is often analyzed for its thematic connections to Kafka and its commentary on the nature of desire and the body. Critics note that the narrative successfully balances the bizarre nature of the transformation with a grounded, intellectual exploration of the human condition.