An unemployed optimist finds a strange book that leads to unexpected seduction, love, lust and a comic encounter with a cult of alien-worshipping self-improvers. With his rent overdue, unemployed but upbeat Monkey is cast out onto the streets of Leeds. Wandering on the margins of society he finds an odd-looking book as he scavenges for food. Before he can work out how to profit from his discovery he has to escape the designs of a woman in desperate need of his body and finds himself dealing with a bizarre cult of self-improvement gurus with alien connections. And all this whilst trying to salvage his relationship with his landlord's daughter as his wolfish landlord pursues him with violent intent. It's a funny journey for a hero, but Monkey's a funny sort of hero.