A young boy navigates the complex and often absurd social hierarchies of colonial Cameroon.

The protagonist, Toundi Ondoua, leaves his village to serve a French missionary, eventually becoming a houseboy for the colonial commandant. His objective is to secure a place within the colonial structure, but he faces the rigid, often hypocritical constraints of the French administration and the shifting loyalties of those around him. The narrative is presented through a diary format, providing an intimate look at the protagonist's observations of colonial life. The physical and logical constraints of the world are defined by the stark power imbalance between the colonizers and the colonized, which dictates every interaction and outcome.

Readers and critics frequently highlight the sharp, biting wit that Ferdinand Oyono employs to dismantle the facade of colonial benevolence. Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of the diary format in capturing the protagonist's gradual disillusionment with the European presence. The pacing is noted for its steady progression from youthful curiosity to a grim realization of the systemic injustices inherent in the colonial system. Many observers point to the balance between the lighthearted tone of the early chapters and the increasingly somber atmosphere as the narrative reaches its conclusion. The work remains a significant contribution to postcolonial literature for its unflinching look at the psychological impact of colonial rule on the individual.