This collection investigates the nature of linguistic difficulty and the complex intersections between human consciousness, poetic expression, and the structural limits of language. George Steiner, a prominent literary critic and polyglot, utilizes his extensive background in comparative literature and philosophy to argue that the act of reading and interpreting text is an inherently demanding process. He posits that the resistance encountered in literature is not merely an obstacle but a fundamental component of the aesthetic experience, reflecting the deeper, often inaccessible, structures of human thought.

Scholars and critics frequently cite this work as a dense, intellectually rigorous exploration of the philosophy of language. Readers often note that the prose requires significant patience and familiarity with literary theory to fully grasp the author's nuanced arguments.