An offbeat story of a feckless 30 year old man with a record of youth crimes, now leading an honest but apparently unsuccesful life. His mother is hyper critical of his lack of success compared to his brother. He meets an older woman with whom he establishes a conventional relationship. The book is strong on the inner lives of the older people with whom he comes into contact in his job. There is good characterisation, yet I didn't really warm to any of the characters. Not completely convincing, but a worthwhile read.