Spoken discourse is Boll's primary method to portray character development, to unveil thematic concerns, and to regulate the "action" of the novel.

Using first person narration and interior monologue, Boll presents with precision and grace the life and symbolic death of his protagonist Hans Schnier. Moralist and satirist, Boll relies on his stark, realistic prose to create a powerful image of the individual's struggle against conscience and conformity. Satire is clearly Boll's most effective weapon to define the character of Hans as well as to accentuate the ills of modern society. Through the extensive use of flashback, the reader relives the events of the past which have formulated the protagonist's present predicament, and the persona of the "Clown" becomes frightfully understood.

Arranged in a complex, often disorienting sequence, the novel demands the attention and commitment of the reader as part of the creative experience. In essence, Boll is...