This original and distinctive novel explores themes of heredity and character against the background of Geneva in 1923. The Great War is over, and Calvin's city now houses the League of Nations, the Red Cross and theological societies. Can the new generation be trained to extinguish barbarity and ensure peace?

Everyone has a theory on how to develop the moral fibre of the orphaned Jean-Marc. A physician proposes improbable treatments to prevent delinquency. The Society for the Amelioration of Youth through Literature contends that everything a worthy adolescent should know already exists in print. Their challenge is to transfer this wisdom into Jean-Marc's developing brain.

Despite moral education, warning parables and symbols, a sin of omission will impact Jean-Marc's marriage and relationship with his son. Another relative will acknowledge him as a brilliant conman. Jean-Marc's engaging narrative allows the reader to assess his progress against his assignment to be 'a credit to the new vision of society'.