Analyst Clement Winters is trying to write a biography of his recently deceased older brother Joseph. Through the writings Joseph left behind -- letters, diaries, notes and confessions -- Clement realizes how little he actually knows his brother and how vastly his perception of him differs from reality. As Clement tries to make sense of the life of his deceased sibling, he uncovers "little dark corners" of his family history and even his own life.

"Brian Aldiss has turned from science fiction to the regular novel, with triumphant success." - Anthony Burgess