"The stories ... combine everyday events with surreal and fantastical elements: the title story deals with a dog called Worm; in another, a husband and wife quarrel over a hot tray and a plugless lamp; and in another, a man encounters a speaking baboon in his kitchen."--Back cover.
Unhappily married Cape Town academic Art Berger is offered what appears to be a professional lifeline: to reconstitute the final papers of the great South African writer Charles de Villiers into book-form. He is uncomfortable about the role of ghost-writer, but the project becomes literary detective-work he cannot give up.
The collection features poignant and accessible poetry from a celebrated South African poet, recognized with the prestigious Ingrid Jonker Prize. The work explores deep emotional themes while remaining relatable, inviting readers to connect with the poet's unique voice and perspective.