Thomas Chippering, a man obsessed with his ex-wife, embarks on a chaotic and misguided quest to win her back through a series of increasingly absurd maneuvers. Driven by a volatile mix of insecurity and unrequited longing, Thomas navigates the complexities of modern sexual politics while his own sense of reality begins to fray. The narrative, delivered through a sharp and often unreliable first-person perspective, exposes the protagonist's desperate attempts to manipulate his environment and the people within it. As his schemes spiral out of control, Thomas must confront the consequences of his own narcissism and the shifting landscape of his personal relationships.

This novel is often characterized by its aggressive wit and its willingness to push the boundaries of the romantic comedy genre into darker, more cynical territory. The narrative voice is frequently cited for its polarizing nature, as readers must grapple with a protagonist whose actions are often as frustrating as they are humorous. The work serves as a pointed critique of the male ego, utilizing farce to expose the underlying fragility of its central character. Ultimately, the book is viewed as a stylistic departure for the author, trading his typical war-focused themes for a domestic landscape defined by obsession and social maneuvering.