There is no need to be a crossword enthusiast to enjoy this quick-witted book. The cryptic crossword, chat peculiarly British pastime, provides the framework for Sandy Balfour's recollections of a life spent in restless travel. Balfour hitchhiked to London from South Africa in 1983. He has yet to return. In self-imposed exile whilst seeking the place where he belonged, he also embarked nature of identity.

According to Balfour, crossword clues, and how we solve them, 'tell us who we are'. He shows us how the assorted ways in which people deal with a clue can demonstrate their attitudes to the world. Each clue engenders diverse recollections in each Derson before he arrives at the answer.