A "perfect" young man, on the verge of turning thirty, literally washes up in the middle of nowhere at a house occupied by five extremely odd characters whom he assumes are mental cases. In fact, they are five of his ancestors from different periods of history, enjoying a feast (a continual one, though he does not know this), and entertaining themselves by sharing tales which poke gentle fun at the young man's values. In a sense, it follows the logic of C. S. Lewis's - The Great Divorce: Heaven and hell are, oddly, the same place - the five "fools" are thoroughly enjoying each other's company, while "perfect" young Brian is miserable in the situation. This is a very strange book, intentionally so. Whether the reader is a believer or unbeliever, he will, ever so briefly, get a glimpse of contemporary values through the eyes of God.