After Howard Baker dies, he finds himself in a customized afterlife that promises the fulfillment of his deepest desires and personal ambitions. Howard navigates this celestial landscape, which operates on the logic of his own ego and expectations, only to discover that a heaven designed for individual satisfaction presents its own unique set of existential complications. The narrative employs a satirical lens to examine the human condition, utilizing a third-person perspective that tracks Howard’s attempts to master his new environment. As he seeks to win at this game of existence, he encounters the inherent absurdity of a world constructed entirely around his own subjective needs.

Critics have long championed this work for its deceptive simplicity and enduring intellectual resonance. The New York Times Book Review noted that the book possesses a rare quality that allows it to be revisited with pleasure over many years. The New Yorker praised the novel as a contemporary iteration of Candide, highlighting its capacity for both high comedy and genuine humor. The Times Literary Supplement suggested that the work stands as a significant contribution to twentieth-century English literature. These assessments collectively underscore the book's status as a classic of satirical fiction.