In the 1960's, the Portobello Antique Market in London, England, exploded into the thriving, exciting area it is now. Oscar, the hero of this novel, is involved in this expansion, first as a boy and then as a young man. He learns about people, about sexuality, and about caring for those around him...a hermaphrodite, a blind girl, an elderly refugee. He is an unwitting observer of the important events in London at that time...the Profumo affair, Rachmanism, gang warfare and police corruption. His involvement with all these help him to mature and learn what is important to him. This is an entertaining read.