Sir Harvey Marlowe, publisher, engages in a sprightly correspondence with his old schoolmaster Gerald Marsh. From his home in Shuffling, Marsh waxes lyrical on the subject of household manners (“I blow my nose with an handkerchief. Et toi?”) and the pleasures of reading books backwards. Meanwhile, Sir Harvey, darting from meal to meal with gifted young writers, sends his old friend the hottest news from the literary front. But despite their passion for literature (“I imagine you already know that steak is an anagram for Keats?”), 1983 proves a testing year for their friendship. At the same time as Marsh is completing Pass the Fruitcake, Iris, his 1,000-page study of music hall gaffes, Sir Harvey is becoming strangely attracted to his wife. This is a wickedly funny send-up of literary pretension.