The novel takes place in an unnamed South African city, five years after the first elections to occur after Apartheid. Toloki, an itinerant professional mourner, contemplates the various forms of violence plaguing the shantytowns in which he works.
The novel occurs in an unnamed South African city, five years after the first elections following Apartheid. Toloki, a wandering professional mourner, ponders the different types of violence affecting the shantytowns where he works.