Adopted by a well-to-do if eccentric Dublin couple who remind him that he is not a real member of their family, Cyril embarks on a journey to find himself and where he came from, discovering his identity, a home, a country, and much more throughout a long lifetime.

"Originally published in the United Kingdom by Doubleday, an imprint of Transworld Publishers, a Penguin Random House company, London."--Title page verso.

Part I. Shame. 1945 : The cuckoo in the nest ; 1952 : The vulgarity of popularity ; 1959 : The seal of the confessional ; 1966 : In the reptile house ; 1973 : Keeping the devil at bay -- Part II. Exile. 1980 : Into the annex ; 1987 : Patient 741 -- Part III. Peace. 1994 : Fathers and sons ; 2001 : The phantom pain ; 2008 : The silver surfer -- Epilogue. 2015 : Beyond the harbor on the high seas.