Keith Mabbut is at a crossroads in his life. After some early success as a writer, he has become a pen for hire, finding work when and where he can. He and his wife have separated and his son and daughter are both grown up. Then he is offered the opportunity of a lifetime - to write the biography of the elusive Hamish Melville, a highly influential activist and humanitarian. Not only does the offer come with the promise of rich financial reward, it is also a chance to write something truly meaningful. His search to find out the real story behind the legend takes Keith to Orissa, the jungle, and the environmental hotspots of India. The more he discovers about Melville, the more he admires him - and the more he connects with the man he once was, an idealist who wanted to make a difference. Gradually Melville takes Keith into his confidence and finally agrees to the book. He will feed Keith information and give him introductions to his friends. However when the first draft is ready, the publisher reveals their version of 'the truth' is far from the story Keith has written. They point to some dubious dealings in Melville's past and it becomes clear that perhaps Melville has not always been as pure as he seems to be. Or is he? As Keith becomes torn between his admiration for the man and his obligations as a writer, he finds that the truth can be whatever we make it. In this wonderful, heartwarming novel, Michael Palin turns his considerable skills to fiction in the story of an ordinary man on an extraordinary adventure.