Exposing the political and cultural failure to address the challenges of postcolonial Trinidad this insightful novel portrays a world where the working man must face the crime and violence that is destroying the social body Walter Castle is dissatisfied with his regular job in the Laventille slum in Port of Spain As the prospect of promotion is bleak and crime and lawless youth become insupportable he dreams of going back to the village community he grew up in Unfortunately the force of nostalgia is not supported by actual memories and as Walter abandons his dreams he is forced to choose between turning into a drone who passes through life without leaving a mark or standing up for himself Originally published inthis story remains surprisingly contemporary with its astringent critique of the topdown authoritarianism of nationalist politics