Gerald is a ghostwriter to the illiterate stars, from rock singers and racing drivers to ski champions. And to Millie Cleat, the monstrous one-armed sailor, who’s around the world voyage, has made her the toast of Britain. Gerald pines for greater things, however, and would prefer to write the memoirs of Max Christ, the celebrated conductor. While he schemes to land this unattainable catch, he muses hilariously and viciously from his Tuscan hilltop on the world of which he is such an unwilling part. Meanwhile, some oceanographers are planning revenge on Millie Cleat for her destruction of their greatest coup. Mayhem follows.