Represents a city's underworld, and the laws of corruption and delay. This novel projects these things in a vision that embraces black comedy, cosmic farce, and tragic ruin.Represents a city's underworld, and the laws of corruption and delay. This novel projects these things in a vision that embraces black comedy, cosmic farce, and tragic ruin. Runner-up for The BBC Big Read Top 100 2003. Short-listed for BBC Big Read Top 100 2003.