With his only friend a computer, Walden Yapp has lived a singular life. Professor of Demotic History at the University of Kloone, Yapp spends his days highlighting the corrupt capitalistic nature of the upper-classes, and his nights feeding Doris his computer the information he has gathered

So when capitalist Lord Petrefact hires him to write a damaging family history, Yapp seizes the chance to chronicle the corrupt life of the Petrefact family. Spurred on by his expectations of dishonesty and depravity Yapp heads of the town of Buscott, where nobody is what they at first appear to be.

Now a pawn in Lord Petrefact’s vindictive family game, Yapp’s presence is as welcome as the plague. From provoking dwarfish marital problems to uncovering an erotic toy factory Yapp’s presence sparks a chain of events that ends in death, destruction and a murder trial.

Going through a car wash will never feel the same again.

They make me cry with laughter ... I think he's one of the great geniuses
- Daily Mail

Tom Sharpe is in top form ... outrageously funny ... Left-wing academics, right-wing capitalists, true-blue country gentry, workers, peasants, police and lawyers - all take custard pies full in the face in this boisterous knockabout farce
- The Listener

A novelist who has broken out of the pack, established a wholly distinctive style ... such a keen eye for the ridiculous and marvellous ability to puncture it
- Scotsman

An immense gift for social satire ... the action is unflagging
- Daily Telegraph

There’s almost no one funnier
- Observer