From an isolated childhood in the idyllic NSW Blue Mountains of the 1930s/40s to the bright lights of Sydney, Tato's remarkable journey unfolds. It is highlighted by the special relationship with his father, Edwin, whose mysterious and sudden disappearance has a profound, disturbing and haunting effect on Tato - leading him to seek salvation in lively Sydney of the 1950s/60s. But life isn't that simple. It is a tale of surprising twists and turns, peopled by an extraordinary array of colourful personalities. Threaded throughout are significant social and political events - both in Australia and internationally - which contributed to the changing character and 'coming of age' of post-war Australia.