After a lifetime of service in the Australian outback, an aging mission head faces a crisis of faith and identity that forces him to confront his own mortality. Heriot, the protagonist, finds his authority and his internal sense of purpose crumbling as he navigates the harsh, isolated landscape of Western Australia. He must contend with the physical decay of his body and the psychological weight of his past actions, leading him to abandon his post and wander into the wilderness. The narrative follows his descent into a state of spiritual exile, where the boundaries between reality and hallucination blur under the intense heat of the desert.

This work is widely regarded as a significant contribution to Australian literature, noted for its lyrical intensity and profound psychological depth. Critics often highlight the author's ability to render the desolate landscape as a living, breathing entity that dictates the movements of the characters. The narrative is frequently praised for its unflinching look at the intersection of personal failure and colonial history. Readers often find the protagonist's existential crisis to be a haunting meditation on the nature of forgiveness and the finality of life. The text remains a staple in studies of post-colonial identity and the psychological impact of the frontier.