Fernando Pessoa describes his work "The Book of Disquiet" as being an autobiography lacking facts. It is written by character Senhor Soares, who is assumed to be an alter ego for Pessoa. Pessoa's book does give few concrete facts about the writer or the world of the writer. The book is rich in describing the inner workings of the mind and soul of the author. Through his book, Soares explores the reasons why he writes and why he writes as he does, as well as an ailment that often affects him which he terms "tedium."

Throughout his book, Soares explores his own personality and his interaction with the world around him. He describes himself as an eccentric artist who works in a fabric warehouse as an assistant bookkeeper by day, but then lives through his dream life at night. His writing is divided into numerous sections, each of which covers a different topic. Some of these topics include Soares's reasons for writing, his relationship with his own self, his relationship with others, and his views of life as it is lived by the common man. One of the more prominent characteristics of this book is that the thoughts in one section often trail off unfinished. In his next section of writing, Soares will start a completely new thought, leaving the thoughts in the prior section unaddressed.

What Pessoa says in his book through his character Soares is perhaps not as important as how he says it. Although he continually indicates nothing written by man can be perfect, Pessoa has a unique flair to his writing that is not seen often. His style may not imperfect but it catches the eye of the imagination. His sense of rhythm in his work makes his writing flow like well-written poetry. Through his vivid descriptions, which often contain oxymorons, similes and metaphors, one can easily grasp the idea of what Soares is trying to describe.