The arrival of illusionist David Blaine in a glass box suspended over the Thames triggers a chaotic, multi-perspective examination of modern celebrity culture and public voyeurism. As the protagonist—a composite of the frenzied public and the media apparatus—observes the forty-four-day starvation stunt, they are forced to navigate a landscape defined by conflicting desires, media manipulation, and the absurdity of contemporary spectacle. The narrative employs a fragmented, polyphonic structure to mirror the disjointed nature of the event, shifting rapidly between the perspectives of onlookers, critics, and the disillusioned. The physical constraint of the perspex box serves as a focal point for the characters' projections, exposing the logical inconsistencies of a society obsessed with manufactured endurance.

This novel is widely recognized for its sharp, caustic examination of the media frenzy surrounding David Blaine's 2003 endurance stunt. Critics often highlight Barker's ability to capture the absurdity of the event through a fragmented and irreverent narrative lens. The work is frequently cited for its stylistic ambition, as it attempts to mirror the chaotic nature of the spectacle itself. Readers generally engage with the text as a biting critique of contemporary celebrity culture and the voyeuristic tendencies of the public. The book remains a notable example of Barker's commitment to dissecting the complexities of modern life through a satirical and experimental framework.