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There is nothing exceptional about John Haworth. John drifts through life, floating from one mentor to another and trying to emulate them all. By contrast, his best friend Martin Holford is highly intelligent, confident, handsome, and able to cruise through any situation with his wits and charm his way out of any consequence. Together, the two make an odd pair from the moment they meet in school in the 1960s, all the way through to adulthood.
The book follows John and Martin's lives as they grow up and embark on their own journeys of trying to make sense of the world and society, through the lens of music, religion, and the media. The story strolls along slowly, as John enters a career in music and constantly contemplates how someone as ordinary as him can make a lasting impression on society. His path deviates from Martin's—who flits from one career to another, himself unable to find a place to fit in—and then reunites again as the two carve a place for themselves among their many friends and acquaintances.
John and Martin's journeys are touched by many people but are rarely dramatic. Instead, the book's telling of their story is leisurely and contemplative, utilizing much more conversation than action and often taking much too long to get to the point. Despite meeting many extraordinary people in his life, John's character doesn't see much growth, and he remains a pawn for others to move around the board. This may be either a flaw of the story or an intentional message from Clapham: No matter where you go or who you know, you can't escape who you are.