The tranquil academic life of Porterhouse College is thrown into chaos when the institution faces a radical modernization attempt that threatens its long-standing, gluttonous traditions. The protagonist, Sir Godber Evans, arrives with a mandate to reform the college, clashing directly with the entrenched, eccentric, and fiercely traditional Senior Fellows. The narrative follows the escalating absurdity as the college's inhabitants employ increasingly bizarre tactics to preserve their way of life against the encroaching forces of administrative efficiency. Sharpe utilizes a third-person omniscient perspective to highlight the grotesque and comedic disconnect between the reformers and the traditionalists.

This work is widely recognized as a quintessential example of British satirical fiction, noted for its relentless mockery of academic pomposity. Readers often highlight the author's ability to balance grotesque humor with a genuine critique of institutional resistance to change. The narrative style is frequently described as chaotic and irreverent, appealing to those who enjoy dark, situational comedy. The book remains a staple in the genre of campus satire, consistently cited for its sharp wit and enduring relevance to the tensions within elite educational environments.