The protagonist, called Señor C. by the other characters, is an aging South African writer living in Sydney. The novel consists of his essays and musings alongside diary entries by both Señor C. and Anya, a neighbor whom he has hired as a typist.
Señor C., referred to as such by those around him, is an elderly writer from South Africa living in Sydney. The book features his personal thoughts, complemented by diary entries written by both Señor C. and Anya, who works for him as a typist.