This collection investigates the precarious intersection of creative integrity and financial necessity within the professional life of a career writer. Jonathan Raban, a seasoned observer of the literary landscape, utilizes his own experiences in London's publishing circles to examine the tension between artistic independence and the practical demands of insolvency. Through a series of essays, he constructs a framework that balances the craft of book reviewing, the escapism found in travel, and the realities of sustaining a livelihood through the written word.

The work presents a candid and intellectually rigorous examination of the writer's life, characterized by a blend of wit and professional introspection. Its focus on the mechanics of the literary trade suggests a text intended for readers interested in the practical and philosophical realities of a career in letters.