Richard Somers, a writer recently arrived in Australia, finds himself caught between the allure of a new land and the encroaching shadows of political extremism. Somers seeks to reconcile his personal isolation with the intense, often volatile social movements surrounding him, specifically the rise of a paramilitary organization led by the charismatic figure known as Kangaroo. As he navigates the physical landscape of the Australian bush and the psychological landscape of his own marriage, he must decide whether to commit to a cause or maintain his detached, observational stance. The narrative unfolds through a dense, introspective lens that prioritizes the protagonist's internal shifts over traditional plot progression.

This novel is frequently analyzed for its departure from Lawrence's earlier, more focused works, often cited for its sprawling, experimental structure. Critics and readers alike note the intense, sometimes overwhelming density of the prose, which mirrors the protagonist's own turbulent mental state. The work serves as a significant document of the post-World War I era, capturing the anxieties of a world struggling to define its political future. While some find the pacing challenging, others appreciate the raw, unfiltered exploration of the author's own ideological conflicts and personal observations.