British writer Kingsley Amis, usually ironic and amusing, is not at his best in this novel. This is the story of a biographer writing about an ego-driven minor author. Gordon Scott-Thompson, a struggling hack, gets commissioned to write the biography of veteran novelist, Jimmie Fane. It is a task which proves to be with extraordinary and unforeseen difficulties. Fane, an unashamed snob, has many pet hates, Including younger men with moustaches and trendy pronunciation. Scott-Thompson, however, is extremely attached to his own moustache and not so particular about his use of language. It doesn't help matters that Fane's wife Joanna isn't yet sure what she feels about moustaches, but has decided views on younger men.