How does an individual reconcile a fragmented ancestral heritage with the demands of personal identity and cultural tradition? P. J. Kavanagh, an established poet and novelist, utilizes his own lineage as a primary case study to investigate the intersection of personal history and broader societal constructs. By tracing his family roots from Ireland through Tasmania to New Zealand, he constructs a framework that evaluates the enduring influence of religious belief, inherited tradition, and the role of myth in shaping the contemporary human experience.

The text presents a contemplative and introspective look at the complexities of identity, likely appealing to readers interested in the intersection of personal memoir and historical sociology. Its focus on the author's specific patrimony suggests a narrative that is both deeply personal and broadly applicable to those examining their own ancestral narratives.