This biography investigates the life and literary career of William Gerhardie, examining why a prominent 1920s novelist abruptly ceased publishing to live as an eccentric recluse. Dido Davies utilizes Gerhardie's personal archives, including private letters, diaries, and unpublished manuscripts, to construct a comprehensive portrait of the author. The work situates Gerhardie within the cultural context of his era while analyzing the psychological and professional factors that led to his withdrawal from public life.

Critics often praise this work for its meticulous use of archival material to demystify a notoriously private figure. Scholars frequently cite this biography as the definitive resource for understanding the trajectory of Gerhardie's career.