As the shadow of the Second World War looms over 1938 London, the disparate residents of a Kennington lodging-house navigate the complexities of their personal ambitions and moral failings. The narrative follows the interconnected lives of the inhabitants of No. 10 Dulcimer Street, ranging from a retired clerk to a charismatic con artist. These characters pursue individual goals—love, financial security, or social status—while contending with the rigid class structures and the encroaching instability of a city on the brink of global conflict. The story unfolds through a multi-perspective lens that captures the rhythm of daily life, shifting between domestic intimacy and the harsh realities of urban crime.

This novel is widely recognized as a definitive portrait of pre-war London, celebrated for its ability to weave together the lives of ordinary people with a keen eye for social detail. Critics and readers alike often highlight the author's skill in balancing comedic eccentricity with the underlying tension of a society facing inevitable change. The work is frequently compared to the classic city novels of the nineteenth century due to its sprawling scope and deep empathy for its flawed characters. It remains a staple of British literature, valued for its historical authenticity and its enduring exploration of the human condition within a bustling metropolis.