David, the innocent young protagonist of this novel, lives on the outskirts of a city. It’s a harsh environment despite the best efforts of his school, attended by teenagers of different origins, with their fragility and "that excess of vital strength that brings them to the brink of catastrophe.” His neighbourhood’s traps and challenges pose a threat to the ingenuous boy, posing the question of whether a humble man can survive in a ruthless society. With rich, precise language, the author paints a forceful picture of the innocent boy’s unique approach to life, as well as depicting the cast of characters that come his way. The flow of the novel is punctuated by the setbacks he experiences at school and in his neighbourhood, as it hurtles towards a disconcerting ending.