Lawrence Pasmore –although successful, well-off, and a decent family man– is sinking day by day into depression, from which he is desperately trying to heal in every possible way. However, the feeling of dissatisfaction, the midlife crisis, and his labyrinthine mind lead him to comedic yet tragic events he would have never imagined, resulting in his marriage, mental and physical health, job, and consequently his entire life hanging by a thread.

David Lodge, in this unexpectedly timely novel, hides the biggest questions about human existence behind a diabolical humor and creates the portrait of the modern man who is anxious about being and seeming.

"The thing is, I wasn't always unhappy. I remember a time when I was happy. Or at least satisfied. Or at least a time when I didn't think I was unhappy, which perhaps is the same as being happy. Or satisfied. But somewhere, sometime, I lost that ability, the art of simply living, without feeling anxiety or depression. How? I have no idea."