This work functions as a dual-purpose narrative, simultaneously deconstructing the conventions of modern biography while presenting an intimate, poetic memoir. The protagonist, serving as the authorial voice, navigates the tension between the desire for self-documentation and the inherent skepticism toward the biographical form. Through a series of lyrical reflections, the text challenges the reader to consider how a life is constructed, measured, and ultimately recorded within the constraints of verse. The narrative framework is non-linear, utilizing the flexibility of poetry to bridge the gap between objective observation and subjective experience.

Readers and critics frequently note the intellectual rigor Enright applies to the act of self-reflection. Discussion often centers on the balance between his sharp, critical wit regarding the biographical genre and the genuine, humane vulnerability present in his personal recollections. The pacing is described as deliberate and meditative, allowing the reader to engage with the text in fragments rather than a singular, linear progression. Many highlight the effectiveness of his understated style, which avoids grandiosity in favor of precise, thoughtful observation. The work is widely regarded as a significant contribution to the intersection of poetry and life-writing.