This is Francis King at his very best as he enters not only the world and sensibilities of Stefano, old and declining, a prince from an ancient Sicilian family with an unfinished novel in him, but the simple, good-natured and damaged heart of Steve, an Australian hitch-hiking the world, who hates to be touched, is wary of affection and is incurious and unable to educate himself. In restoring the prince's magnificent Bugatti, Steve brings satisfaction to his own life and provides Stefano with the creative energy to finish his great work.